How Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change Are Impacting Children’s Health

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Group of children lying in a circle on a carpeted floor, smiling and laughing while looking up at the camera. The photo is framed with a colorful, crayon-like border featuring flowers, hearts, and tulips in vibrant colors like red, orange, pink, green, and yellow. The playful and cheerful design complements the joyful expressions of the children, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.
Joyful Moments in Full Bloom

A Call to Action

The health of our planet and our children are closely linked. Biodiversity—the variety of life on Earth—plays a critical role in keeping ecosystems and people healthy. Yet, biodiversity is rapidly declining, and climate change is worsening its impacts. Children are particularly vulnerable to these changes, as their developing bodies are more sensitive to environmental stressors and they face a longer lifetime of exposure.

Understanding the Crisis

What Is Biodiversity and Why Does It Matter?

Biodiversity refers to the variety of plants, animals, and microorganisms on Earth, as well as the ecosystems they form. It ensures clean air, water, and food, regulates diseases, and supports human health in countless ways.

However, human activity—deforestation, pollution, and overuse of natural resources—has caused biodiversity to decline at an alarming rate. Combined with climate change, these losses create a cycle of destruction that threatens not just the environment, but also our health.

Why Are Children More Vulnerable?

The impacts of biodiversity loss and climate change are particularly severe for children due to their unique vulnerabilities. These include biological factors and social dependencies that make them less able to cope with environmental changes. For example:

  • Their immune, respiratory, and nervous systems are still developing.

  • They breathe more air and consume more food relative to their size, increasing exposure to pollutants.

  • They depend on adults to provide safe environments and resources.

Key Areas of Impact on Pediatric Health

Microbial Diversity: Building Immunity

Microbial diversity, found in soil, water, and plants, is essential for the healthy development of a child’s immune system. When ecosystems lose biodiversity, children lose exposure to beneficial microbes, leading to a range of health issues.

  • What It Does: Microbial diversity in soil, water, and plants influences the microbes children are exposed to, which is essential for developing strong immune systems.

  • The Problem: Biodiversity loss reduces exposure to beneficial microbes, increasing risks of allergies, asthma, and inflammatory diseases.

Green Spaces: Nature’s Healing Power

Green spaces with diverse plant and animal life provide much more than aesthetic beauty. They are critical for children’s mental, emotional, and physical health, offering restorative environments for growth and learning.

  • Benefits: Access to biodiverse green spaces improves physical activity, mental health, and cognitive development in children.

  • Evidence: Studies show that exposure to diverse plant and animal life in parks and gardens boosts children’s emotional well-being and attention spans.

Heatwaves and Flooding: Rising Risks

As climate change drives more extreme weather, children are facing increasing risks from heatwaves and flooding. These events not only cause immediate health threats but also disrupt the ecosystems that help protect against them.

  • Heat-Related Illnesses: Children are at greater risk of heat exhaustion and dehydration during heatwaves, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change.

  • Flooding: Loss of ecosystems like wetlands, which absorb excess water, increases the risks of displacement, injury, and waterborne diseases.

Infectious Diseases: Expanding Threats

Climate change is enabling the spread of disease-carrying insects to new regions, putting children at a greater risk of infectious diseases. Biodiversity loss compounds this by reducing natural pest control systems.

  • Vector-Borne Diseases: Climate change allows disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes to thrive in new regions, increasing risks of illnesses like dengue and Lyme disease.

  • Children at Risk: With weaker immune systems, children are more susceptible to severe outcomes.

Air Pollution: Breathing Problems

The destruction of biodiversity-rich ecosystems contributes to worsening air pollution. For children, this means a higher risk of respiratory illnesses and developmental challenges.

  • The Link: Biodiversity loss contributes to air pollution as ecosystems that filter air—like forests—are destroyed.

  • Impact: Air pollution worsens asthma, bronchitis, and developmental issues in children.

Pediatric Medicine: Lost Potential

Biodiversity plays a key role in medical advancements. Many life-saving medicines have been discovered through the study of plants, animals, and microorganisms, a potential that is at risk with biodiversity loss.

  • Biodiversity’s Role: Many medicines are derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms. For example, antibiotics like penicillin come from fungi.

  • The Risk: Biodiversity loss could mean less availability of these medicinal sources.

Solutions and Mitigation Strategies

Ecosystem Restoration

Restoring biodiversity is critical for mitigating the impacts of climate change and creating healthier environments for children. These efforts can range from local projects like community gardens to global initiatives aimed at protecting ecosystems.

  • What Works: Rewilding efforts and urban planning that integrate biodiversity can restore ecosystems and improve air quality, reduce flooding, and create cooling effects.

  • Example: Restored urban green spaces have been shown to lower temperatures and improve local health outcomes.

Engaging Children in Biodiversity Initiatives

Getting children involved in biodiversity restoration not only helps ecosystems but also benefits their mental health and emotional well-being. These programs foster a sense of agency and environmental awareness.

  • Programs: Community gardens, tree-planting drives, and biodiversity education in schools.

  • Benefits: These activities not only improve ecosystems but also enhance children’s mental health, provide hands-on learning, and empower them to take action.

Policy and Community Action

Addressing biodiversity loss requires a collaborative effort across individuals, communities, and governments. Policymakers and organizations can create programs that protect and restore biodiversity while involving the public.

  • Global Initiatives: The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is an example of efforts to promote biodiversity worldwide.

  • Local Efforts: Schools and communities can push for greener policies, like protecting wetlands or creating more biodiverse parks.

Research Gaps and Future Directions

While we know biodiversity loss and climate change harm children’s health, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects. By addressing these gaps, we can create better solutions tailored to children’s needs.

  • More studies are needed on the long-term health benefits of biodiversity restoration.

  • Research should focus on how interventions, especially in underserved communities, can best support children.

Summing Up

Biodiversity and climate change are not abstract issues—they directly impact children’s health today and their futures tomorrow. From the air they breathe to the spaces they play in, children are deeply connected to the natural world. Protecting biodiversity results in safeguarding the well-being of the next generation.

Call to Action

We can restore biodiversity by planting native species, reducing waste, and supporting conservation organizations. Communities can demand greener policies, and governments must prioritize ecosystem restoration. Together, we can protect our planet and ensure a healthier, safer future for all children.

Source: Seastedt, H., Schuetz, J., Perkins, A., Gamble, M., & Sinkkonen, A. (2024). Impact of urban biodiversity and climate change on children’s health and well-being. Pediatric Research.

When Glaciers Melt: The Surprising Link to Earthquakes

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Sangre de Cristo mountain range seen from CO Hwy 96.
Sangre de Cristo range seen from CO Hwy 96. Credit: Hogs555, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Lessons from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Glaciers are nature’s icy giants, carving valleys, shaping mountains, and storing vast amounts of Earth’s freshwater. These massive formations weigh millions of tons, pressing down on the Earth beneath them. However, glaciers are melting faster than ever before due to climate change, and this rapid loss of ice is more than just a sign of a warming planet—it’s affecting the very ground we walk on.

A fascinating study in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Colorado reveals a surprising consequence of melting glaciers: earthquakes. This discovery shows us how closely connected the Earth’s surface and its icy cover truly are.

What This Study Found

The Sangre de Cristo Mountains, stretching across southern Colorado, are a stunning example of nature’s grandeur. Long ago, glaciers covered these peaks, leaving behind U-shaped valleys and other evidence of their presence. Scientists wanted to understand what happened to the Earth’s crust when these glaciers melted, a process called deglaciation.

  • Using advanced tools like satellite imagery and computer models, scientists reconstructed how these glaciers used to look and how they melted over time.

  • They found that when the glaciers melted, the immense weight pressing down on the Earth was removed. This caused the ground to “bounce back” in a process called isostatic rebound.

  • This rebound created stress along underground cracks in the Earth, called faults, making them more likely to move and trigger earthquakes.

The key takeaway? Melting glaciers can lead to shifts in the Earth’s crust that cause earthquakes, a phenomenon observed in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

How Glaciers and Faults Are Connected

To understand this better, let’s think about glaciers as nature’s heavyweights. They press down on the Earth’s crust, similar to how you might press your hand into a soft cushion. When you lift your hand, the cushion bounces back, and the same thing happens to the Earth when glaciers melt.

Here’s what happens in detail:

  • Weight Removed: Glaciers’ immense weight compresses the Earth. When they melt, that pressure is gone.

  • Earth Adjusts: The ground slowly rebounds upward, but this creates stress along faults—cracks in the Earth’s crust.

  • Faults Move: These stresses can push faults to move, which is what causes earthquakes.

The Sangre de Cristo study focused on this process in the past, providing valuable clues about how today’s rapidly melting glaciers might lead to similar effects in the future.

Why This Matters Today

Climate change is causing glaciers to melt faster than ever. From the towering peaks of the Himalayas to the icy expanse of Greenland, glaciers are retreating at alarming rates. This isn’t just about rising sea levels; it’s also about what’s happening beneath the surface of the Earth.

  • Regions at Risk: Areas with large glaciers, such as Alaska, Greenland, and parts of the Andes, are experiencing significant ice loss.

  • Increased Earthquake Activity: The stress caused by melting ice could make faults more active, leading to more frequent or stronger earthquakes.

  • Uncertain Future: Scientists are still learning about the full impact, but the Sangre de Cristo study highlights the risks we might face as glaciers continue to vanish.

Understanding these connections is crucial. It reminds us that the effects of climate change reach far beyond what we see—they extend deep into the Earth.

What Can Be Done

While the link between melting glaciers and earthquakes might sound alarming, there’s good news: we can take action to reduce these risks. Here’s how:

  • Slow Glacier Melt: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions can slow the pace of climate change and give glaciers more time.

  • Prepare for Risks: Understanding these processes helps communities prepare for potential seismic activity in glacier-rich regions.

  • Support Climate Policies: Encourage leaders to adopt policies that reduce emissions and promote sustainable energy.

  • Stay Informed: Learning about the impacts of climate change empowers us to take meaningful action in our lives and communities.

By acting now, we can protect not only glaciers but also the ecosystems, communities, and landscapes connected to them.

Summing Up

Melting glaciers are more than a symbol of climate change—they’re a force that can reshape the Earth itself. The study of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains shows us how closely tied the Earth’s crust is to these icy giants. When glaciers disappear, the ground responds, sometimes with seismic consequences.

But there’s hope. By reducing emissions, supporting research, and staying informed, we can slow the impacts of climate change and create a safer, more sustainable future. Together, we can protect our planet—and ourselves—from the cascading effects of a warming world.

Source: Hurtado, C., & Gallen, S. F. (n.d.). Exploring the impact of deglaciation on fault slip in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado [Supplementary materials]. Colorado State University, Department of Geosciences.

Climate Justice: International Court of Justice Hearings Start Monday, December 2nd

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Exterieur the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
ICJ – THE HAGUE (Netherlands), 1 February 2012 – Exterieur the International Court of Justice (ICJ), on Wednesday 1 February 2012. Photo: CIJ-ICJ/UN-ONU, Capital Photos/Frank van Beek – Courtesy of the ICJ. All rights reserved

Significance of the Public Hearings

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hold a series of public hearings on the “Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change.” Taking place from December 2 to December 13, 2024, at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, these hearings aim to clarify the responsibilities of countries and legal sovereignties under international law regarding climate change. With 98 countries and 12 international organizations participating, this event underscores the urgent need for global collaboration in addressing the climate crisis. By exploring legal frameworks, the ICJ’s findings will shape future efforts to protect the environment for current and future generations.

Role of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)

The ICJ is the principal judicial body of the United Nations (UN), established in 1945 and operational since 1946. Based in The Hague, it operates from the iconic Peace Palace and comprises 15 judges elected for nine-year terms by the UN General Assembly and Security Council.

Key Functions of the ICJ:

  • Settling disputes between states: The ICJ resolves legal conflicts submitted by nations, adhering strictly to international law.

  • Issuing advisory opinions: Upon request from authorized UN bodies, the ICJ provides non-binding but influential guidance on legal questions.

While its rulings in disputes are binding, advisory opinions are not legally enforceable. However, these opinions carry significant moral and legal weight, often shaping international policies and behaviors. The ICJ’s work fosters global cooperation and strengthens the rule of law in international relations.

Background of the Climate Change Hearings

In March 2023, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/77/276, requesting an advisory opinion from the ICJ to clarify countries’ obligations regarding climate change. This resolution stems from growing concerns about the insufficient legal accountability for environmental harm caused by greenhouse gas emissions.

Core Legal Questions:

At the hearing, countries and legal countries are being asked to address the following:

  1. Obligations of states: What duties do nations have under international law to protect the climate system from human-caused emissions for present and future generations?

  2. Legal consequences: What are the legal ramifications for countries that, through action or inaction, significantly harm the climate system? This includes:

    • Impacts on vulnerable states: Small island nations and others disproportionately affected by climate change.

    • Effects on individuals: The rights and wellbeing of current and future generations.

        These questions address critical gaps in accountability and aim to establish clearer responsibilities for states under international law.

        Participants and Their Roles

        The hearings will feature 98 states and 12 international organizations, each presenting their perspectives and concerns. For eample, some of the participating legal sovereignties and groups include:

        • Small Island Nations: Countries like Vanuatu will highlight the existential threat posed by rising sea levels and extreme weather, emphasizing the urgency of global action.

        • Major Powers: Nations like the United States and China will provide insights into their roles as major greenhouse gas emitters, outlining their policies and responsibilities in reducing emissions.

        • International Organizations: Entities such as the African Union and European Union will focus on promoting regional cooperation and aligning efforts to achieve climate resilience and sustainability.

        Participants aim to showcase their unique challenges and propose actionable solutions. For example:

        • Small island nations will advocate for stronger protections and financial support to adapt to climate impacts. These nations often face existential threats due to rising sea levels and intensified natural disasters.

        • Larger nations may discuss their responsibilities under international agreements, highlighting efforts to reduce emissions, promote renewable energy, and support global climate initiatives.

        • Regional organizations will stress the importance of collective action, urging countries to collaborate on solutions that benefit both regional and global communities.

        By bringing diverse voices to the table, the hearings will offer a comprehensive picture of the climate crisis and foster a sense of shared responsibility among nations.

        Schedule of Presentations

        The hearings are scheduled with each participant allotted a specific time slot to present their statements. Some of the notable dates and participants include:

        • December 2, 2024: Opening proceedings and presentations by Vanuatu, South Africa, Germany, and others.

        • December 4, 2024: United States, Russian Federation, and Fiji, among others.

        • December 6, 2024: Statements by Kenya, Jamaica, and the African Union.

        The topics covered will include:

        • Legal frameworks: Obligations under treaties like the Paris Agreement.

        • Climate vulnerabilities: Specific risks faced by participating states.

        • Policy recommendations: Proposed actions to strengthen international accountability.

        Why These Hearings Matter

        The ICJ’s advisory opinion holds the potential to reshape the global approach to climate change by providing legal clarity and moral authority on the obligations of states. Here’s why these hearings are significant:

        • Clarifying International Law: The hearings aim to define the specific legal responsibilities of states under international treaties, such as the Paris Agreement, to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

        • Promoting Accountability: By addressing gaps in enforcement, the ICJ’s opinion could encourage countries to align their policies with their legal obligations, setting higher standards for global action.

        • Fostering Global Cooperation: The hearings bring together diverse voices from across the globe, reinforcing the idea that combating climate change is a shared responsibility requiring collective effort.

        • Protecting Vulnerable Communities: The discussions emphasize the disproportionate impact of climate change on small island nations and under-resourced countries, advocating for their protection and support.

        The ICJ’s findings could influence future climate negotiations and encourage stronger commitments from nations. They may also serve as a legal foundation for individuals and communities seeking justice for climate-related harm. Beyond the legal aspects, these hearings inspire hope for a unified global response to the climate crisis, demonstrating how international law can be leveraged to create meaningful change.

        By tackling these critical issues, the hearings demonstrate the power of international law in addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

        Summing Up

        The ICJ’s public hearings on climate change obligations are an important contribution to the fight against the global climate crisis. By clarifying the legal responsibilities of states, these proceedings offer a beacon of hope for more accountable and cooperative international action.

        How to Follow the Hearings

        Here are ways you can follow the hearings via live-streaming: