The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced a new tool, the "Kids and Climate Health Zone," aimed at educating the public on how climate stressors impact children at various life stages across different regions in the United States. The tool compiles stories and information derived from the U.S. Global Change Research Program's Fifth National Climate Assessment and other published resources.
"Climate change is the challenge of our generation, and we owe it to the next generation – our nation’s children – to take action now in the fight to protect our health and our planet," stated EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe. "Raising awareness of the impacts of climate and environmental stressors on children and highlighting actions that we can all implement to mitigate the effects are critical for the protection of children’s health and are central to our mission at EPA and to the efforts of the Biden-Harris Administration."
Children are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to physical, cognitive, behavioral, and social factors. Impacts during childhood can have long-term consequences affecting learning, physical health, chronic disease, and other conditions. Additionally, changing climate conditions, public health emergencies, and disasters can further affect children's environmental health and safety.
The Kids and Climate Health Zone offers insights into how different climate stressors impact various life stages through relatable stories:
- A toddler experiencing stress after his home is flooded with steps outlined to mitigate flooding risks.
- A teenager coping with extreme heat during practice with tips on staying healthy.
- A pregnant woman exposed to wildfire smoke with resources provided for her safety and that of her baby.
Further details can be accessed on the Kids and Climate Health Zone webpage.
