How climate change is impacting the health of young people

Timing: 10:00 - 11:00 GST

Climate change is one of the greatest threats to human health. We also know that the impacts of climate will not be felt evenly and that children and youth are particularly vulnerable. This event will shed light on the challenges, but also on potential solutions. 

To attend, you must be registered for COP28 and have access to the Blue Zone.

Topics for discussion:

• Maternal, newborn and child health: The segment will cover the unique vulnerabilities of children in relation to extreme heat, air pollution and changing patterns of diseases – and share the evidence related to the impact on children’s health. 
• Adolescent health: This segment will shed light on the impact of climate change on adolescent health, including mental health. 
• Climate change and its impact on the determinants of child and adolescent health: This segment will cover the impact of climate change on health-determining sectors that shape child and adolescent health including food and water insecurity. 
• Actions to protect child and adolescent health from the impact of climate change: Connected to the broader climate and health agenda, this segment will cover the actions that must be prioritized to protect the health of children and youth.

Facilitator and speakers: 

• Alice Bell, Head of Climate and Health Policy, Wellcome Trust (Facilitator) 
• Abheet Solomon, Global Lead for Healthy Environments for Healthy Children, UNICEF 
• Revati Phalkey, Global Director of Health and Nutrition, Save the Children 
• Oumnia Anfer, Secretary of YoU-CAN Network and Health Focal Point for YOUNGO 
• Dr. Tolullah Oni, Clinical Professor, University of Cambridge 

Resources:

• COP28: UNICEF calls for universal action to tackle a child rights crisis
• Brief: The World’s Children Need Urgent Action on Climate Change
• WHO-UNICEF-UNFPA advocacy brief: Protecting maternal, newborn and child health from the impacts of climate change: call for action
• Wellcome Trust at COP28