Challenges of Climate Change and Implications for the Nigerian Child

Climate change is an adverse environmental phenomenon occurring at rates projected to be unprecedented in recent human history. Climate change could result in social, economic and environmental crises affecting the younger population. Nigeria is a country of the young with 46% of its population under the age of 15 and these represent the largest group currently affected by climate change. Children are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of climate change. Drought and flooding resulting from extreme climate change negatively impact food production affecting children in the form of hunger and malnutrition. Children face greater risks of contracting vector-borne diseases from under nutrition and diarrheal diseases. When temperature rises, causing water scarcity and air pollution, children suffer deadly respiratory and waterborne diseases. Family migration and displacements as a result of climate change disrupt developmental activities of young children. Displaced families usually end up living in internally displaced centers. These centers usually have poor infrastructure and substandard housing conditions depriving families’ access to healthcare. The consequences associated with climate variability includes malnutrition, loss of shelter, poor educational development, child labor and inadequate access to healthcare. There is an increasing need for national and international organization to consciously intensify efforts on strategies for mitigating the effect of climate change. Disasters associated with climate change are inevitable occurrence in our present world hence the need for emergency preparedness, designing ways that children and families can be educated on simple and practical actions that can protect life and personal property in the event of natural disaster. Climate change education should be provided in schools by the authorities and relevant institutions on raising awareness and training.