Climate Crisis = Children's Rights Crisis

The climate crisis has long since ceased to be a prediction of the future. It has become a reality of the present that shapes the living conditions of millions of people. It is not nations or economies that suffer most from the effects of climate change, but children. They are the most vulnerable segment of society.

According to estimates by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), one billion children worldwide live in regions at “extreme risk” due to climate threats. This accounts for half of all children on the planet. And this is not just a matter of dry statistics. It is an indicator that global environmental challenges have turned into a crisis of children’s rights. After all, every natural disaster or change in climatic conditions constitutes a direct violation of a child’s fundamental rights—to life, health, education, and safety.

Children’s Climate Risk Index (CCRI).

To assess the level of risk to children in different countries around the world, UNICEF has developed the Children’s Climate Risk Index (CCRI). This tool takes two main factors into account. The first is environmental threats: floods, prolonged heat waves, hurricanes, air pollution, clean water shortages, and droughts. The second is social vulnerability, which is determined by access to healthcare, education, basic infrastructure, and social safety nets. It is the combination of these factors that allows us to see not only the scale of the danger but also a country’s ability to effectively protect its children.

Why Children Are the Most Vulnerable.

The climate crisis affects everyone, but children bear the brunt of it. Children’s bodies are much more sensitive to high temperatures and air pollution. Any disruptions in nutrition or problems with access to clean water have much more serious and long-lasting consequences for children than for adults. When a child is unable to attend school due to a natural disaster, it means more than just a break in their education. It also means the breakdown of social ties and a loss of the sense of stability and security. Furthermore, in low-income countries, children are ten times less protected from climate risks than their peers in developed countries. This creates an even wider gap between different parts of the world and exacerbates global inequality.

School as a space for resilience.

Education is one of the most important tools for adapting to climate change. In this context, school is not just a place for lessons. It is a space where a child can find basic security: access to drinking water, adequate sanitation, and shelter during emergencies. Schools can provide psychological support, help children overcome traumatic experiences, and restore a sense of stability in times of crisis. Schools can also equip children with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate a changing world. This includes both environmental literacy and practical skills for responding to emergencies. Therefore, every school capable of withstanding climate or humanitarian challenges becomes a kind of “island of resilience” not only for children but for the entire community.

Ukraine is at the center of a dual crisis.

This topic is particularly relevant for Ukraine. Today, the country is simultaneously experiencing two large-scale crises: war and climate change. The destruction of infrastructure, water and soil pollution, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events pose serious risks to future generations. At the same time, it is precisely under such conditions that schools become beacons of recovery and hope. After shelling, they are rebuilt according to the principles of sustainable development: solar panels are installed to ensure energy independence; water purification and conservation systems are implemented; and spaces for environmental education are created. This is not merely a response to the current challenges of war. It is an investment in a future where education and climate resilience will be closely intertwined.

Why this is critically important.

When we talk about the climate, we are actually talking about children’s rights. The right to life, the right to health, the right to education, and the right to safety directly depend on how society responds to climate threats. Conversely, any delay in taking climate action constitutes a direct violation of children’s rights. Therefore, investments in schools, safe infrastructure, and “green” technologies and solutions cannot be viewed as an additional or optional choice. This is a strategy for survival and development that will determine what kind of world the next generation will live in. Our children’s future depends on the steps we take today.