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The effect of climate change on children living on pacific islands
Abstract
Climate change is projected to increase temperatures, sea level rise and extreme weather events. Children living in remote, low-lying Pacific Islands are particularly at risk from the impacts of climate change, due to their physical, environmental and socio-economic vulnerability. The objective of this paper is to examine the potential health effects of climate change and climate change related migration on children in rural and remote areas, especially those living in the Pacific Islands. A review of the literature on climate change health impacts in rural and remote areas was conducted, focusing on those living in the Pacific Islands and on climate change related migration. The results suggest climate change is likely to increase heat related and extreme weather related mortality and morbidity and increase infectious disease incidence and transmission in the Pacific Islands, especially in children. Climate change is also likely to impact indirectly on child health by affecting water, food and financial security and by increasing inequalities. By 2050, approximately 235,000 people on Kiribati, 20,000 people on Tuvalu and 800 people on Tokelau are likely to be at high risk of climatechange-related migration and the adverse impacts this can have on mental, physical and social health. Climate change is likely to have a significant impact on the health of children living in rural and remote areas, such as the Pacific Islands. It is therefore imperative that resources are targeted to enhance the adaptive capacity of these areas.
... 222 Healthcare facilities in the Pacific Islands are located primarily on coastlines, making them especially susceptible to tropical cyclones and SLR-driven flooding (KM 9.2), 104 224 Given the limited emergency infrastructure and evacuation options, extreme weather events create high risks for the mental and physical health of island populations, with individuals with low-income, older adults, children, and persons with disabilities at disproportionately higher risk (Box 15.1). 26,225,226,227 Drought poses health challenges, particularly for rural island populations. A 2013 drought in the northern atolls of RMI caused crop failures and unsafe and insufficient water supplies, which led to nutritional deficits and increased prevalence of infectious diseases, especially in children. ...
https://nca2023.globalchange.gov/chapter/30/
Climate change—especially sea level rise, altered rainfall patterns, and rising ocean and air temperatures—impairs access to clean water and healthy food, undermines human health, threatens cultural resources and the built environment, exacerbates inequities, and disrupts economic activity and diverse ecosystems in Hawaiʻi and the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands. Adaptation efforts that build upon community strengths and center local and Indigenous Knowledge systems improve resilience.
... The present study intentionally included children younger than in any other comparable study. Some general studies have mentioned the impacts of climate change on children, including children in the Pacific Islands, ranging from health issues to the destruction of homes and livelihoods, alongside the recognition that children are often particularly at risk from the impacts of climate change that are most critical in the island states in the global south (Bartlett, 2008;Britton & Howden-Chapman, 2011;Burton et al., 2011;Lawler & Patel, 2012;Lindsay et al., 2011;Urbano & Maclellan, 2010). This mainstream exclusion of children may be linked to widespread Pacific assumptions that children are -or are expected to be -silent, passive, and dependent. ...
A survey of children in the small Pacific Island state of Samoa was undertaken through focus groups and drawings. This primary study of children of different ages demonstrated that children were aware of local environmental changes including those triggered by climate change. The majority of Samoan children of both genders were aware of the multiple dimensions of climate change affecting Samoa, namely rising temperatures, heavier rainfall, stronger winds, cyclones, and how these affected to varying degrees different parts of Samoa. Sea level rise was perceived to be a feature of future, rather than, current climate change. Gender variations reflected domestic activities of children, while village location influenced observations and perceptions of change. Their knowledge was informed by their experiences of recent events triggered by climate change and tectonic activities, attending school, as well as by listening to various media sources such as television and radio, and to family members. Younger children, aged 6-9 years, had a basic understanding of climate change. Older children, aged 10-15 years, were able to conceptualize future changes, and exhibited a degree of forward thinking that suggested potential resilience in the face of change.
This chapter identifies key challenges facing Pacific Island Countries (PICs) caused by the serious impacts of the current climate emergency. Looking at the literature and existing responses to this issue, this chapter will explore issues and debates surrounding the displacement of people from these islands, identifying problems associated with understanding the affected communities’ perspectives and their sense of agency and empowerment to do anything about this intensifying threat.
Small island developing states (SIDS) are often at the forefront of climate change impacts, including those related to health, but information on mental health and wellbeing is typically underreported. To help address this research lacuna, this paper reviews research about mental health and wellbeing under climate change in SIDS. Due to major differences in the literature's methodologies, results, and analyses, the method is an overview and qualitative evidence synthesis of peer-reviewed publications. The findings show that mental health and wellbeing in the context of climate change have yet to feature prominently and systematically in research covering SIDS. It seems likely that major adverse mental health and wellbeing impacts linked to climate change impacts will affect SIDS peoples. Similar outcomes might also emerge when discussing climate change related situations, scenarios, and responses, irrespective of what has actually happened thus far due to climate change. In the context of inadequate health systems and stigmatisation of mental health diagnoses and treatments, as tends to occur globally, climate change narratives might present an opening for conversations about addressing mental health and wellbeing issues for SIDS.
Non-economic loss and damage induced by climate change in the Pacific Islands region has been reported as fears of cultural loss, deterioration of vital ecosystem services, and dislocation from ancestral lands, among others. This paper undertakes an in-depth systematic review of literature from the frontlines of the Pacific Islands to ascertain the complexities of non-economic loss and damage from climate change. We synthesise knowledge to date on different but inter-connected categories of non-economic loss and damage, namely: human mobility and territory, cultural heritage and Indigenous knowledge, life and health, biodiversity and ecosystem services, and sense of place and social cohesion. Identifying gaps and possibilities for future research agendas is presented. Synthesising knowledge to date and identifying remaining gaps about non-economic loss and damage is an important step in taking stock of what we already know and fostering action and support for addressing loss and damage in the years to come.
This commentary describes the likely impacts on children's health and wellbeing from climate change, based on the solid science of environmental child health. It describes likely climate change scenarios, why children are more vulnerable than older people to these changes, and what to expect in terms of diseases (e.g., infections, asthma) and problems (e.g., malnutrition, mental illness). The common antecedents of climate change and other detrimental changes to our society mean that in combatting them (such as excessive consumption and greed), we may not only reduce the harmful effects of climate change but also work towards a better society overall—one that values its children and their futures.
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