Global warming is one of the most significant and terminating problems that affect both nature and humankind in a harmful way. It is defined as the long-term heating of the Earth’s surface observed to cause many risk factors since the pre-industrial period (between the 1850s and 1900s). Climate change is one of the many effects of global warming. Just like global warming, climate change also refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. The devastating impacts of the climate crisis are hotter temperatures, increased amounts of severe storms, increased drought, observable rising at the ocean level, the global rise in hunger and poor nutrition, loss of species among animals and plants, and severe health conditions. As might be expected, the way adolescent individuals are affected by these conditions is quite harsh.
Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change/global warming, being at a critical point of their life in which they have to deal with the enhancement of their own biological, emotional and social development, and since they face the burden of worsening adverse impacts of climate change throughout their lifetime. The climate crisis negatively impacts all aspects of adolescent well-being, through the vulnerability of most adolescents -such as indigenous adolescents, refugees, adolescents with disabilities or chronic disease, and adolescents marginalized due to race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status- and puts them at great risk (1). It affects their physical well-being through increased risk of injury, lung disease, infectious disease, and poor nutrition. As it is for social relations, It may disrupt their connectedness to family, friends, and community through its effect on forced migration.
The climate crisis also disrupts adolescents’ safe and supportive environments through its effects on interpersonal and collective conflict and further research is necessary on effective interventions to protect adolescent well-being in climate-related humanitarian settings (1). Education and employment opportunities for adolescents are also impacted by climate-related extreme weather events and the effect of climate change and its response on agriculture and forestry, tourism, and other climate-vulnerable sectors (1).
In addition, exposure to extreme and slow-onset events affects adolescents' psychological well-being, and the overwhelming and existential threat of the climate crisis affects adolescent agency, purpose, and resilience, resulting in feelings of powerlessness. It is necessary to respond as soon as possible to the climate crisis and to limit the increase in temperature to less than 1.5°C. It is a fact that adolescents must have an active role to play in promoting their well-being and the well-being of their communities. Measures taken to protect the physical well-being of adolescents include the active involvement of adolescents in disaster preparedness and response measures, monitoring systems integrated with targeted public health messages, as well as continued efforts to improve adolescents' basic physical well-being (1). Adaptation measures are necessary to minimize the risk of climate-induced migration and conflict. When migration and conflict occur, appropriate interventions and support should be provided to maintain adolescents' commitment and provide a supportive environment (1).
Adolescents and youth have taken action on climate change at a range of local and global stages, by creating advocacy, adaptation, and mitigation projects, holding governments accountable, and engaging in policy-making. Adolescents, particularly the ones from disadvantaged groups and with unfortunate opportunities, must be recognized as equal partners and be involved in all climate-related policymaking processes that have an impact on their well-being, to ensure present and future adolescents not only survive but thrive, as we collectively and effectively respond to the climate crisis.
References
Adolescents2030. (n.d.). Adolescents2030. https://www.adolescents2030.org/media/791853/eng_14_adol-wbeing-bkg-p pr-14-climate-crisis-final
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