Children's Health and the Peril of Climate Change

Abstract

Abstract The book Children’s Health and the Peril of Climate Change is a call to action. It brings to light the full harm to children’s physical and mental health being inflicted now by climate change and its root cause—our addiction to fossil fuel. After laying out the scope of the climate crisis, it reviews the health impacts of air pollution from fossil fuel combustion and the effects of higher temperatures, more severe storms, floods, forest fires, drought, infectious disease, and displacement due to climate change It describes how climate change and air pollution can combine to derail early brain development and affect the physical and mental health of children, with lifelong consequences. It reviews new scientific understanding of the unique biologic vulnerability of the developing fetus and child to these threats and the reasons why children in low-income communities and communities of color bear the greatest burden. The book describes the growing power of environmental justice; Indigenous, youth, religious, scientific, and environmental groups; and artists in raising awareness of the crisis and motivating action by governments, business, and other sectors. Following case studies of climate change and air pollution policies that have benefited children’s health and the economy, it provides an overview of the solutions now available at the government, community, and individual levels to mitigate climate change and help children and families adapt to climate change. The book ends with a call for integrated climate and social policies to speed the transition to a just zero carbon future.