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The Effects of Global Warming on Kids

Global warming and the climate changes occurring around the planet are expected to cause many devastating environmental problems. Associated with these environmental problems as well as the increase in temperatures are a variety of health problems. Some of these health issues are expected to have a greater impact on children than they will on adults.

  1. Insect-borne Diseases

    • Global warming is seen to be contributing to a rise in insect-borne diseases because worldwide nighttime temperatures are rising faster than daytime temperatures. Since nighttime temperatures are what control the range of these insects, the rising nighttime temperatures are increasing the range and populations of these insects. The diseases that these insects spread, including cholera, dengue fever and malaria, are particularly devastating to children as well as the elderly.

    Infectious Diseases

    • According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), infectious diarrhea is the second-leading cause of death in children worldwide. This infectious diarrhea is usually contracted when a child consumes tainted water. Increased rainfall, such as during an El Nino event, has been shown to increase the number of infectious diarrhea cases in children. Scientists expect that global warming will lead to increased rainfalls in many areas, which is likely to lead to more cases of tainted water and the spread of infectious diarrhea in children.

    Extreme Weather Hazards

    • Many believe that global warming will increase the number of extreme weather events around the globe including floods, droughts and hurricanes. Such events can be devastating to all members of the population, both in their immediate violence and the after-effects, which can lead to the spread of diseases. Post traumatic stress disorder is another problem associated with extreme weather events, and according to the AAP, some studies show that children may experience more long-term mental health problems as a result of exposure to such events.

    Air Pollution

    • Children are at particular risk of respiratory problems, including asthma, that result from ambient air pollution. This is due to the fact that the lungs of children are still developing and are more at risk of being damaged by air pollution. Their smaller lung size means that children take more breaths than adults, which increases their exposure to air pollution. Most children also spend more time than adults outside engaged in various forms of exercise, increasing their exposure to pollutants.

    Thermal Stress

    • Rising temperatures have already led to an increase in heat waves, and heat-wave-related deaths. Such deaths occur most frequently in the elderly. Evidence suggests that children may be the second most vulnerable group when it comes to medical problems and death as a result of increased temperatures. Because children are likely to spend more time outside and playing during the heat of the afternoon this puts them at a greater risk of heat exhaustion and increases their exposure to damaging UV rays.

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