Global Climate Change and Children’s Health

There is a broad scientific consensus that the global climate is warming, the process is accelerating, and that human activities are very likely ( 90% probability) the main cause. This warming will have effects on ecosystems and human health, many of them adverse. Children will experience both the direct and indirect effects of climate change. Actions taken by individuals, communities, businesses, and governments will affect the magnitude and rate of global climate change and resultant health impacts. This technical report reviews the nature of the global problem and anticipated health effects on children and supports the recommendations in the accompanying policy statement on climate change and children’s health. INTRODUCTION Scientists1 and governments2 concur that Earth is warming; rapid global climate change is underway, and human activities are very likely ( 90% probability) the main cause. Adverse human health and ecosystem consequences are anticipated,3 and some are already being measured. Physicians have written on the projected effects of climate change on public health,4,5 but little has been written specifically about anticipated effects of climate change on children’s health.6 Children represent a particularly vulnerable group that is likely to suffer disproportionately from both direct and indirect adverse health effects of climate change.7 Pediatric health care professionals must understand the escalating nature of these threats, anticipate their effects on children’s health, and participate as children’s advocates for strong mitigation and adaptation strategies now and at all levels, from local to global.8 This technical report examines both direct and indirect threats to children’s health and futures related to climate change.* NATURE OF THE GLOBAL PROBLEM “Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperature, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global mean sea level.”1 According to the National Climatic Data Center, all records indicate that during the past century, global surface temperatures have increased at a rate near 0.6°C per century (1.1°F per century), but the trend has been 3 times larger since 1976.9 The results of this warming on regional climate are not uniform. In general, land-surface temperatures are increasing faster than sea-surface temperatures.9 The climate in latitudes between 40°N and 70°N is warming more quickly than that in lower latitudes, and some areas (eg, the southeastern United States) are actually cooling. Changes in precipitation that occur with climate change www.pediatrics.org/cgi/doi/10.1542/ peds.2007-2646 doi:10.1542/peds.2007-2646 *Since the writing of this technical report, the full reports of the 4th Assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have become available, and additional studies have been published that include more detailed historical and current data documenting global climate change. All technical reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics automatically expire 5 years after publication unless reaffirmed, revised, or retired at or before that time. The guidance in this report does not indicate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as a standard of medical care. Variations, taking into account individual circumstances, may be appropriate.