Imagine spending more than half the year sweating under scorching temperatures above 35°C! 🥵 That's the reality for almost 500 million kids, mainly in West and Central Africa, according to a new UNICEF report released this Wednesday.
The report reveals that 1 in 5 children worldwide—about 466 million—are living in areas that experience at least twice as many extremely hot days compared to 60 years ago. Climate change is turning up the heat, and it's the youngest who are feeling it the most.
\"Children are not little adults,\" says UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. \"Their bodies are far more vulnerable to extreme heat. Young bodies heat up faster and cool down more slowly. Extreme heat is especially risky for babies due to their faster heart rate. So rising temperatures are even more alarming for children.\"
With governments around the world drafting their national climate action plans, Catherine Russell urges leaders to act now to get rising temperatures under control. 🌍💚
\"Today's children and future generations will have to live in the world we leave behind,\" she reminds us. It's time to turn down the heat and protect our planet for the kids who'll inherit it.
Reference(s):
UNICEF: Nearly 500 m children spend over half year in extreme heat
cgtn.com
