Top environmental issues kids faced in 2021

The health hazards of environmental challenges do not need to be debated. Also, it’s not necessary to reiterate that children are the worst sufferers of degrading air and water quality, as well as global warming. The common ailments that these environmental issues trigger, especially among kids include difficulty in breathing, vision troubles, and chronic allergies. Urban children are more affected by these conditions. Here’s everything you need to know about the most critical environmental issues for kids in 2021, according to a few recent surveys and reports. 

Degrading quality of the air 
Youngsters in India living in the metro cities frequently complain of breathing troubles every now and then. Recently, in a survey conducted by the India Climate Collaborative in August 2021, students middle and high school (aged between 13 and 18 years) in the urban cities across India have stated how the quality of air around them makes their lives difficult. The survey further threw light on how smoke from burning trees as well as emissions from public and private transports and nearby factories force them to inhale toxic air, hurting their eyes and giving rise to respiratory difficulties. 

Toxic garbage segregation 
Research has shown that burning garbage degrades air quality by increasing toxicity and decreasing oxygen levels. All these lead to respiratory difficulties in kids while stunting their brain development. If garbage is segregated judiciously into recycled and unrecycled categories, the toxic discharge won’t be able to affect their health, observe experts.  

Water pollution 
The adverse effects of water pollution on children are also a cause of concern. Industrial or household waste flowing down the rivers indirectly affect their health in more ways than one when the contaminated water enters the local sanitary system. Dirty water is the breeding ground for mosquitoes leading to malaria and dengue. Also, polluted water can trigger a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions.  

Drastic rise in temperatures 
The rapid rise in temperature and extreme heat all across the world have made our lives difficult, including those of kids. Medical concerns like dehydration, common cold and fever, and heat exhaustion are some of the adverse issues that children in India have to face for more than half of the year, thanks to global warming.