Climate Change's Silent Threat: Urgent Call to Protect Mothers and Children
As the world grapples with the escalating climate crisis, a silent threat emerges that demands our immediate attention – the peril faced by pregnant women and children. The United Nations, in a Call for Action released ahead of the global Conference of the Parties (COP28) negotiations, sheds light on the neglected and underestimated impact of climate change on maternal, newborn, and child health.
Neglected Consequences: A Glaring Omission
The document, titled "Protecting maternal, newborn and child health from the impacts of climate change," highlights a critical issue – the scant mention of maternal and child health in many countries' climate change response plans. This omission is deemed a glaring oversight, indicative of the inadequate attention given to the needs of women, newborns, and children in the climate change discourse.
A Plea for Action: Recognizing Unique Vulnerabilities
"Pregnant women, babies, and children face some of the gravest consequences of all," warns Bruce Aylward from the World Health Organization (WHO). The year 2023 witnesses a series of devastating climate disasters – wildfires, floods, heatwaves, and droughts – with dire consequences for this vulnerable demographic.
The Unseen Impact: Consequences in the Womb
Research reveals that the harm caused by climate change can begin even in the womb, leading to pregnancy-related complications, preterm birth, low birthweight, and stillbirth. The repercussions for children extend into their lifetime, affecting the development of their bodies and brains as they grow.
Urgent Actions: A Call for Change
The Call to Action highlights seven urgent actions, including sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, climate finance initiatives, and specific inclusion of the needs of pregnant women, babies, and children in climate policies. Furthermore, the agencies advocate for increased research to better understand the profound impacts of climate change on maternal and child health.
Integrating Gender Equality: A Critical Step
"To find climate solutions that acknowledge the distinct health needs and vulnerabilities of women and girls, we must start by asking the right questions," says Diene Keita from UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Global climate solutions, according to Keita, must support gender equality, not sacrifice it.
A Unified Call: COP28 and Beyond
The Call to Action was jointly released by WHO, UNICEF, and UNFPA. As the global community converges for COP28, the first-ever Day of Health will be marked, recognizing the interconnectedness of human health and the planet.
