How to protect children, the first victims of climate change? According to the UN, if the trend continues, eight times more children around the world will be exposed to extreme heat waves in the 2050s, three times more will face floods. As part of World Children’s Rights Day, the Defender of Rights in France published on Wednesday November 20 the 2024 report on the subject, entitled “TheThe right of children to a healthy environment “.
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Worldwide, one in four deaths of children under the age of five are linked to pollution phenomena. In this report of the Defender of Rights, the 3,400 young French people who were consulted by the institution – this has been the case for five years – have clearly indicated their concerns.
Their situation is not the same depending on where they live. But everyone is worried about the disappearance of species, the increase in waste, air and water pollution and the impression they have is that adults do not understand the seriousness of the situation. .
Guarantee access to drinking water in all overseas territories
Some say it in their comments: they are afraid of being there or one of the last generations on Earth. They are not sure they want to give their potential children such an environment. They therefore feel directly threatened in several overseas territories.
In the West Indies, chlordecone has permanently contaminated groundwater, even though this pesticide used in banana plantations has not been used for more than 30 years. It is an endocrine disruptor which increases the risks of prostate cancer, premature births or neurodevelopmental disorders in the unborn child. In Guyanait is illegal gold panning that pollutes waterways. HAS Mayottethe distribution of drinking water is limited.
Guaranteeing access to drinking water everywhere, including in overseas territories, is one of the report’s recommendations.
Supporting child victims of natural disasters
Among the others, there is the renovation of schools, to improve the insulation of buildings. The rights defender also suggests thinking about adapting the school day and vacations so that they better take into account climate change and their differentiated effects across the national territory. It encourages the development of pedestrianization in areas close to schools.
Furthermore, she proposes developing consultations at the hospital on prenatal exposure to pesticides, and better psychological support for child victims of natural disasters.
Some other examples of recommendations
- Initiate international negotiations with a view to adopting a legally binding international treaty for environmental protection;
- Adopt an additional protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms expressly recognizing the right to a healthy environment;
- Rethink public spaces for children to reduce their exposure to pollution, in particular by generalizing the pedestrianization of areas near schools and extracurricular establishments and by developing alternative transport to the car;
- Expand the composition of the Children’s Parliament to allow more children to participate and make parliamentary discussion of texts resulting from their work compulsory.
Also readChildren, the main victims of global warming