A global child health perspective on climate change, migration and human rights

Abstract

Current indicators of anthropogenic climate change are foreboding and demand immediate collaborative action and policy change to reduce carbon emissions rapidly. Human and environmental effects of climate change are already widespread. Large-scale disruptive disasters and weather-related events have downstream and cascading effects on livelihoods, national economies, population health and global human rights. These effects create human displacement and migration crises with far-reaching implications for children. Displacement and migration, both within and across national borders, have sequelae for the physical and mental health of children. Young children are vulnerable-both physiologically and developmentally immature-and dependent on others for safety and resources. They also are least responsible for the climate crisis. Child health threats stemming from displacement and migration exemplify questions of social and intergenerational injustice inherent in the climate crisis. Pediatric health care providers are increasingly called upon to care for children and ensure access to care for children who have experienced displacement from climate change, even as dire predictions for the future are escalating climate adaptation efforts. Pediatric health care providers have a role in these efforts-to identify and advocate for those children most at risk from climate change and to bolster clinical care and education strategies to prevent harm to our patients and children. This paper provides a global perspective on climate change for pediatric providers, including how climate change reflects and reinforces colonial legacies that harm child health. We provide action steps for those providers who care for children who have been displaced in the U.S. and who advocate for children's health globally.