Kiera Jefferson
The future of our planet is in our hands, and it is our responsibility to ensure that we leave a clean and sustainable world for future generations. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.7 million children under the age of five die each year due to environmental causes, with many more suffering from diseases and health issues attributed to pollution and unsafe conditions. This is the pressing issue that the Don't Pollute My Future campaign aims to address, advocating for a healthier and safer environment for children worldwide. By reducing environmental risks and implementing preventive interventions, we can significantly decrease the disease burden and save young lives, ensuring a brighter and healthier future for all.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Campaign | Don't Pollute My Future |
| Focus | Impact of the environment on children's health |
| Number of child deaths annually due to environmental causes | 1.7 million |
| Percentage of childhood deaths attributed to environmental exposures | 26% |
| Percentage of the disease burden in children under five attributed to environmental exposures | 25% |
| Major causes of child deaths globally | Pneumonia, prematurity, intrapartum-related complications, neonatal sepsis, congenital anomalies, diarrhoea, injuries, and malaria |
| Environmental risk factors | Air pollution, unsafe water, sanitation, inadequate hygiene, and chemicals |
| Vulnerable groups | Children under five, especially in low- and middle-income countries |
| Benefits of environmental interventions | Reduced disease burden, improved children's health, healthcare savings, and reduced health inequalities |
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What You'll Learn
Preventable child deaths
The world has made significant progress in reducing child mortality over the past three decades. The global under-five mortality rate has declined by 60-61% since 1990, when the probability of a newborn dying before reaching five years of age was 1 in 11. In 2020, the probability was 1 in 27, and in 2023, it was further reduced to 1 in 27. This translates to approximately 4.8 million children under five dying in 2023, or about 13,100 children every day.
Despite this progress, the current situation is unacceptable, and more needs to be done to address preventable child deaths. UNICEF estimates that 52 million children will die from preventable causes between 2019 and 2030 unless immediate action is taken. The leading causes of death for children under five are infectious diseases, including pneumonia, diarrhoea, and malaria, as well as pre-term birth complications, birth asphyxia, trauma, and congenital anomalies. Malnutrition also contributes to nearly half of under-five deaths, increasing the risk of death from common childhood illnesses.
Geographically, the distribution of child mortality is uneven. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest under-five mortality rate in the world, with 68-74 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2020 and 2023, respectively. This is 14 times higher than the risk for children in Europe and North America. South Asia also has a significant under-five mortality rate, contributing to 26% of global under-five deaths in 2023.
To end preventable child deaths, targeted interventions are required to address age-specific causes of death. This includes improving access to basic life-saving measures such as skilled delivery at birth, postnatal care, breastfeeding and adequate nutrition, vaccinations, and treatment for common childhood diseases. Additionally, reducing environmental risks through intersectoral action can improve children's health and reduce health inequalities.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the United Nations in 2015, aim to promote healthy lives and well-being for all children. SDG Target 3.2.1 seeks to end preventable deaths of newborns and under-five children by 2030, with specific targets to reduce newborn and under-five mortality rates globally. As of 2020, 125 countries have met the SDG target for under-five mortality, and accelerated progress is needed in 54 countries to achieve the goal by 2030.
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Environmental interventions
Pollution Prevention (P2):
P2 refers to any practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents pollution at its source. This approach is more effective and cost-efficient than recycling, treatment, or disposal. Examples of P2 practices include:
- Adopting less harmful pesticides or cultivating crop strains with natural pest resistance in the agricultural sector.
- Modifying industrial production processes to generate less waste and using non-toxic or less toxic chemicals.
- Implementing energy and water conservation practices, such as using reusable water bottles instead of disposable ones.
- Protecting sensitive ecosystems, such as wetlands and groundwater sources, from pollution.
Clean Air Interventions:
Clean air is fundamental to human health and the environment. Interventions to improve air quality include:
- Reducing automobile emissions by encouraging carpooling, using public transportation, reducing trips, and avoiding excessive idling.
- Conserving electricity and using energy-efficient appliances.
- Limiting the use of fireplaces, wood stoves, and gas-powered lawn equipment.
- Using environmentally safe paints and cleaning products.
Waste Management:
Proper waste management is crucial to preventing pollution. This includes:
- Composting leaves and yard waste instead of burning them.
- Reusing and recycling materials instead of disposing of them as waste.
- Adopting sustainable packaging and products to reduce waste generation.
Energy Sector Interventions:
The energy sector can implement practices to reduce environmental damage from fuel extraction, processing, transport, and combustion:
- Transitioning to cleaner energy sources and technologies, such as renewable energy alternatives.
- Reducing the environmental impact of fuel extraction and processing, such as through improved regulations and practices.
Addressing Climate Change:
Climate change is a significant global challenge, and interventions are needed to mitigate its impacts:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide, to slow down global warming and its consequences, such as the predicted final extinction of animal life due to rising temperatures and declining oxygen levels.
- Promoting afforestation and reforestation to absorb carbon dioxide and combat the potential "super-greenhouse" state of the atmosphere.
- Encouraging the development and adoption of climate-resilient technologies and practices.
These environmental interventions provide a starting point for protecting our future from pollution and its detrimental effects. By implementing these practices and advocating for systemic change, we can work towards a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for generations to come.
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Children's vulnerability
Children are highly vulnerable to the impacts of environmental pollution. In 2015, 5.9 million children under the age of five died globally, with many of the leading causes of death, including pneumonia, diarrhoea, and malaria, being at least partially caused by environmental factors.
Children are more susceptible to the effects of pollution due to their developing organs, weaker immune systems, smaller bodies, and airways. Exposures to harmful substances can begin as early as in utero, with potential sources of exposure including breastfeeding and secondhand smoke. Air pollution, in particular, poses significant risks to children's health, as the tiny toxic particles in polluted air can enter and damage their growing lungs, leading to breathing issues, illnesses, and long-term health problems.
To protect children from environmental risks, it is crucial to reduce their exposure to pollutants. This can be achieved through various measures, such as promoting cleaner forms of transportation like walking, bicycling, or taking public transit, as well as reducing idling and adopting cleaner fuels for school buses. Additionally, creating pollution-free zones near schools and implementing traffic and smoking bans in those areas can help minimize children's exposure to harmful pollutants.
At home, parents and caregivers can take steps such as keeping their indoor spaces clean, smoke-free, and dust-free to prevent asthma attacks and allergies. Regular handwashing before meals and frequent cleaning of bottles, pacifiers, toys, and surfaces are also important practices to reduce the spread of germs and minimize children's exposure to harmful substances.
It is worth noting that while masks can offer protection against harmful pollutants, their use in children should be carefully considered based on factors such as age, health status, and local air quality, in consultation with a healthcare provider.
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Primary prevention
Preventing pollution before it occurs is the best way to protect children's health and future. Primary prevention of pollution is essential to reducing environmental risks and their adverse effects on children's health, as outlined in the "Don't Pollute My Future" campaign. Here are some detailed instructions for primary prevention, focusing on water and air pollution:
Water Pollution Prevention:
- Avoid dumping waste materials, plastics, and oils into water bodies: Oil spills and waste dumping are primary sources of water pollution, severely affecting underwater life and contaminating drinking water sources.
- Properly dispose of pet waste: Rain can wash pet waste and bacteria into storm drains, polluting waterways and causing health risks to people, especially children.
- Use commercial car washes or wash your car on grass or gravel: Soapy water from driveway car washing runs into storm drains and then into lakes, rivers, and streams, causing water pollution. Commercial car washes reuse and treat wash water, reducing environmental impact.
- Avoid fertilizing before a rainstorm and consider using organic fertilizers: Fertilizers can wash into waterways, causing pollution. Organic fertilizers release nutrients more slowly and are a more environmentally friendly option.
- Reduce industrial waste: Industrial wastes from factories contribute significantly to water pollution. Adopting less harmful chemicals and practices can help prevent water contamination.
Air Pollution Prevention:
- Reduce emissions footprint: The quality of the air we breathe is influenced by our daily lifestyle choices. Opting for cleaner energy sources and reducing the use of fossil fuels can lower our emissions footprint.
- Improve household air quality: Household air pollution disproportionately affects women and children. Using less toxic chemicals for cleaning and maintenance tasks can improve indoor air quality.
- Advocate for intersectoral action: Addressing air pollution requires collaboration between various sectors, including health, energy, transport, industry, commerce, housing, and water. Policy changes and interventions in these sectors can significantly reduce air pollution.
- Promote clean energy practices: Transitioning to renewable and clean energy sources can effectively reduce air pollution and its associated health risks, especially for children and vulnerable populations.
By implementing these primary prevention practices, we can protect children's health, reduce environmental risks, and ensure a cleaner and safer future for the next generations.
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Intersectoral action
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the environment is a key element in protecting children's health and reducing health inequalities. To achieve this, intersectoral action is required, involving collaboration between the health, energy, transport, industry/commerce, housing, and water sectors to reduce environmental risks.
Additionally, the European Commission's Zero Pollution Action Plan aims for zero pollution in air, water, and soil by 2050, with key 2030 targets. This includes improving air and water quality, reducing waste, and protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
To achieve these goals, intersectoral collaboration between government, civil society, and the commercial world is essential. Political leaders play a crucial role in accepting scientific advice, communicating empathetically, and prioritizing human health over economic interests. Furthermore, citizen trust and a supportive civil society that holds governments accountable are vital components of effective intersectoral action.
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Frequently asked questions
The main message of the "Don't pollute my future" campaign is to highlight the impact of the environment on children's health and to advocate for reducing environmental risks to improve children's health and reduce healthcare costs.
Children are especially vulnerable to environmental threats due to their developing organs and immune systems, smaller bodies, and airways. Harmful exposures can start as early as in utero and continue through breastfeeding, which can expose infants to certain chemicals.
Environmental risks that can impact children's health include air pollution, unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, and chemical exposure. These risks can lead to respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, and neonatal conditions, contributing to childhood deaths and disease burdens.
In 2015, approximately 5.9 million children under the age of five died worldwide. The major causes of these deaths include pneumonia, prematurity, intrapartum-related complications, neonatal sepsis, congenital anomalies, diarrhoea, injuries, and malaria. Many of these diseases and conditions are at least partially caused by environmental factors.
Reducing environmental risks for children through preventive interventions can contribute to reducing worldwide numbers of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. It can also lead to healthcare savings and help address health inequalities.
