매년 여름 역대급 갱신되는 뜨거운 무더위로 힘겨워 하고 있는 가운데, 점점 뜨거워지는 기후가 전세계 아이들에게는 어떤 영향을 미치고 있을까요?

세이브더칠드런과 브뤼셀 자유대학교의 공동 연구 보고서 <Born into the Climate Crisis>에 따르면, 2020년에 태어난 아이들은 이전 세대보다 7배 더 많은 폭염에 노출될 것으로 예상되며, 폭염은 대표적으로 아이들의 기본적인 권리에 대해 아래 5가지 영향을 미칩니다.

1. 교육 방해: 폭염으로 인해 학교가 문을 닫거나, 더운 날씨로 집중력이 떨어져 학업 성취도가 낮아집니다.
2. 건강 위험: 탈수, 탈진, 열사병 등 심각한 건강 문제를 일으키며, 장기적으로는 호흡기 질환과 신장 질환 위험이 커집니다.
3. 기아 유발: 폭염으로 농작물 실패와 가축 폐사로 식량이 부족해져 아이들이 필요한 영양을 섭취하지 못합니다.
4. 놀이 제한: 더위를 피하기 위해 실내에 머물게 되면서 신체 활동과 친구들과의 놀이 등 중요한 발달 활동이 방해받습니다.
5. 정신적 고통: 기후 위기의 영향을 경험하는 것이 어린이들의 정신 건강에 부정적인 영향을 미칩니다.

Roksana,34, carrying daughter Rumi, 5, crossing land during a heatwave in Bangladesh. Save the Children.

This past year we have seen record-breaking temperatures across many countries in Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa, with children affected by poverty, inequality and discrimination disproportionately affected.

A research report released by Save the Children in partnership with Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Born into the Climate Crisis, found children born in 2020 face on average 7 times as many scorching heatwaves as their grandparents!

Here are 5 ways extreme heat is impacting children:

1. EXTREME HEAT DISRUPTS CHILDREN’S EDUCATION

Heatwaves have led to schools closing around the world.

Even when children can go to school, the heat can affect their concentration. Research shows that students have lower levels of achievement during hot school years.

2. EXTREME HEAT PUTS CHILDREN’S HEALTH AT RISK

Extreme heat can cause severe dehydration, exhaustion and heatstroke.

The more that children are exposed to extreme heat, the greater they are at risk of respiratory disease, kidney disease and other health hazards.

Jose Alejandro, 8, drinks water from a recycled water tap in Bolivia. Adriana Loureiro Fernandez / Save The Children

3. EXTREME HEAT LEADS TO HUNGER

Extreme heat is leading to crop failures and the death of livestock.

This makes food more scarce and pushes up prices meaning many children and their families cannot get the nutrition they need.

4. EXTREME HEAT STOPS CHILDREN FROM BEING ABLE TO PLAY

Heatwaves force children to stay inside to keep cool, stopping them from going outside to play.

This prevents them from being able to do activities critical to their physical and mental development, such as physical exercise, sports, and playing with friends.

5. EXTREME HEAT CAUSES CHILDREN PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS

Feeling the effects of the climate crisis can badly impact the mental health of children all over the world.

Research has shown that children and young people are worried about the future they will inherit, which they say is negatively affecting their daily life and functioning.

▷기사 원문 보기

▷기후위기가 아이들에게 어떤 영향을 미칠까?

▷ <Born into the Climate Crisis: Why we must act now to secure children’s rights> 보고서 보기