PUTTING HEALTH OF CHILDREN AT CLIMATE ACTION PLAN’S CENTRE

At the COP27 this year, worried civil society actors spoke about the same issue as North India : air pollution. Voices from Nigeria, England, Columbia, India and Botswana pointed out how a slow death of children from air pollution-1 in 5 globallywas a global catastrophe.

In India, we rarely hear about how other countries are hit by unclean air. I was surprised to see that apart from those speaking, groups from the US, Sweden and Germany are also demanding clean air for children. While the Indian discourse is around dust, biomass burning, diesel and clean energy, the groups from Europe and the US talk of the scientific links between fossil fuels and air quality. Their demand is to shift away from fossil fuels systemically via a global treaty. Also sharply evident was the developing world groups’ demand : to upgrade to the WHO air quality standards. They believe that the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of PM2.5 of 5Ug/cubic meter of air is achievable.

The COP27 continues to witness divisions between countries. Perhaps that is why after 27 years, we can’t even get the developed world to own up to its responsibilities. On the other hand, the strong links between climate and children’s health have united civil society.

The first mandate of governments is security. In other words, to save lives. Fighting air pollution will save lives. It will also mitigate climate change. Putting children’s health at the centre of climate change action could be the global push we need to reject business as usual. Let’s embrace that now.