As these days we are celebrating the World Climate Week, the United Nations Committee urges New Zealand to take active measures in tackling child poverty. Also, the UN stresses that Pacific and Maori children risk being severely affected by the impact of climate change.
According to Dr. Rhys Jones from the Climate and Health Council of New Zealand, UN observations are highly important and require immediate action.
- The Government is strongly recommended to address these issues concerning climate change and to provide any assistance to children who live in poverty and to those affected by climate change.
- Children have the highest risks of developing respiratory illnesses and other infections due to climate change.
- Child poverty will become much worse if nothing will be done
According to Dr. Jones, Pacific and Maori children are more vulnerable to climate-sensitive health conditions, and they don’t benefit from the medical assistance they need. He stresses that New Zealand’s climate policy has to provide these children the required healthcare by all possible means.
There are many Pacific and Maori low-income families, so it means that these areas lack infrastructure, housing, and food security as well. Children cannot recover from such an impact if officials do not double their efforts to improve their life quality.
These kids must live in a healthy environment as it is vital for every country to nurture the next generation. Dr. Jones further adds that New Zealand has to invest in cycle-ways, safer walking, better public transport, clean energy, healthier diets, and housing insulation just to name a few.
This initiative will come with great benefits for children and their families. Plus, they will reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well. The world has been severely affected by air pollution over the past few decades, so experts underline that immediate action is necessary in order to tackle this problem.
Conservationists underline that climate change is caused by a large array of influencing factors, all related to human excess and pollution which has affected more than the air but also the oceans. According to the statistics, western wildfires have almost tripled during the past thirty years because of deforestation and industrial activity.
In addition, more than ten species of mammals have become extinct because they were unable to adapt to the consequences of climate change.
Image Source: Wikipedia
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