Figure: Human
Influence on the Greenhouse Effect Caption: (left) A stylized representation of
the
natural greenhouse
effect. Most of the sun’s radiation reaches the Earth’s surface.
Naturally
occurring heat-trapping gases, including water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane,
and nitrous
oxide, do not
absorb the short- wave energy from the sun but do absorb the long-wave energy
re-radiated from
the Earth, keeping the planet much warmer than it would be otherwise. (right)
In this
stylized
representation of the human-intensified greenhouse effect, human activities,
predominantly
the burning of
fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas), are increasing levels of carbon dioxide and
other
heat-trapping
gases, increasing the natural greenhouse effect and thus Earth’s temperature.
(Figure source:
modified from National Park Service10).
(October 26, 2015) abstract
Rising global temperature is causing major physical,
chemical, and ecological changes across the planet. There is wide consensus
among scientific organizations and climatologists that these broad effects,
known as climate change, are the result of contemporary human activity. Climate
change poses threats to human health, safety, and security. Children are
uniquely vulnerable to these threats. The effects of climate change on child
health include physical and psychological sequelae of weather disasters,
increased heat stress, decreased air quality, altered disease patterns of some
climate-sensitive infections, and food, water, and nutrient insecurity in
vulnerable regions. Prompt implementation of mitigation and adaptation
strategies will protect children against worsening of the problem and its
associated health effects. This technical report reviews the nature of climate
change and its associated child health effects and supports the recommendations
in the accompanying
policy statement on climate change and children’s health.