By Kakwisa Blessing | CNA Lundazi Bureau
The repercussions of climate change are already being felt in our daily lives. While the environmental implications of global warming are well-documented, one aspect that demands urgent attention is its profound impact on children and society as a whole. As vulnerable members of our communities, children face a future fraught with challenges, which, if left unaddressed, could disrupt the fabric of our society.
A changing climate disrupts agricultural patterns, causing crop failures, food scarcity, and malnutrition. Children, who are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of malnutrition, face stunted growth, cognitive impairments, and weakened immune systems. Furthermore, the availability of safe drinking water becomes a pressing concern as droughts, flooding, and contamination affect water sources, risking the health of children and society at large.
Meanwhile, climate change is likely to cause some of the areas in the district to have no rains, shortage of food and also to experience heavy rains which will make it hard for crops like maize and groundnuts to survive due to floods.
Climate change-induced events often disrupt education systems, depriving children of access to schooling. Natural disasters can damage infrastructure like in the case of ChaweyaPrimary School in Chasefu District which had its roof blown off due to the heavy rains experienced in the area, leading to the closure of schools, while frequent climate-related emergencies force families to relocate, causing interruptions in children’s learning routines. Displaced children face increased challenges in accessing quality education, leading to long-term educationalgaps and hindering their overall development.
Concisely, the effects of climate change on children and societyare far-reaching and demand immediate attention. Mitigatingthe impacts requires comprehensive action on multiple fronts.Policymakers must prioritize climate resilience strategies, investin renewable energy, and implement measures to protect themost vulnerable. Education and awareness programs shouldequip children with the knowledge and skills to understand andrespond to climate change effectively. It is crucial to foster asense of global responsibility, empowering individuals andcommunities to take collective action towards a sustainable andequitable future.
In the face of this climate crisis, we must recognize that thewell-being of children is intrinsically linked to the well-being ofsociety as a whole. By prioritizing the needs of our youngestgeneration and addressing the challenges they face due toclimate change, we can forge a path towards a more resilientand harmonious future for all.
The pictures above shows how the water levels at LundaziBridge Forest Management area has been affected by climatechange in Lundazi district in Eastern Province due to massivecutting of trees near the Lundazi River.
