Impact of Climate Change on Children
Climate change presents one of the greatest development challenges of our time, and it is now clear that the eradication of poverty and inequality cannot be achieved without also addressing the causes and consequences of climate change. This is particularly urgent for Bangladesh as one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change impacts. With high existing levels of poverty and inequality, as well as frequent disaster events, climate change is exacerbating the challenges that girls, boys, women, and men in Bangladesh face every day.
Climate change is threatening to reverse development gains Bangladesh has achieved towards universal access to primary education, health services, safe water, as well as ending child marriage and child labour, and eradicating hunger and malnutrition. As communities struggle to cope with the increased frequency and severity of disasters caused by climate change, girls are at increased risk of child marriage or trafficking and boys of child labour. As farmers struggle to produce staple crops in bad year after bad year from changing seasonal patterns, risk of malnutrition and related health and development consequences increases. As changes to rainfall patterns, temperatures increases, and storms increase salinity and water scarcity, more people will be without adequate quality and quantity of water to meet even their most basic health and hygiene needs.
WFP/Rein Skullerud