Climate change may hinder the healthy development of children, say pediatricians, the guardian reports.
Climate change affects food security for around 7.9 million kids in the U.S. alone.
According to the new policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), published in the online journal Pediatrics, the threats to children from climate change include heat stress, lower air quality, increased infections, and threats to food and water supplies.
"Because of their growing minds and bodies, children are uniquely vulnerable to changes in their environment," said Dr Samantha Ahdoot, the statement's lead author and assistant professor of pediatrics at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine.
The AAP represents 64,000 pediatricians and other health professionals who specialize in caring for children.
"Pediatricians have a unique and powerful voice in this conversation due to their knowledge of child health and disease and their role in ensuring the health of current and future children," said AAP president Sandra G Hassink.
According to the AAP, there is more than a 90% chance that average summer temperatures will exceed the highest temperatures yet recorded in many regions by the end of the 21st century. Children under the age of one are prone to heat related mortality.
The statement cited the threat climate change could pose to food and water supplies.
"A changing climate has a wide range of effects on the plants, animals and natural systems on which children depend for their own health, safety and security," Ahdoot said.
Doctors have also asked for politicians to aid the cause by taking action on the problem of climate change.
The pediatric group that lay emphasis on the food insecurity that may arise due to climate change also stated that climate change has also promoted the wide prevalence of infectious diseases such as malaria, Lyme disease or dengue fever that will further adversely affect the health of children with lower immunity.
In a statement released by the pediatric group, they asked for cooperation between all organizations responsible for controlling and correcting the climate change. The group also provided guidelines on children's health and how to best protect children from the negative impact of climate change.
According to Capital Berg, Children need a healthy with sufficient nutrients for healthy growth for both emotional and mental development during their teenage years. Children who do not benefit from a healthy, well balanced diet may be susceptible to illness, might have a slower and longer recovery and become exposed to a higher risk of developing chronic illnesses.
