Children Are Cardinal to the Conversation and Preservation of the Planet, They Need Special Attention 

By AVM (RTD) AKUGBE IYAMU

The older generation have all missed the dashboard and the planetary warnings had since turned from green to amber. Nothing contribute so much to tranquillise the mind of children as steady progress and purpose as Children no longer reward promises, they reward performance and on that front the current global campaign to preserve the planet is running out of stem and time.

As we celebrate the World Children’s Day, we all must acknowledge that a trend is emerging which should attract the attention of the old generation: the destruction of our green spaces and our failure to preserve the environment in the right order and perspective for future generations.

The destruction of the environment should be of great concern as we gradually deprive the children of a liveable planet because there can hardly be any development where there is no plan and prospects for the children.

We need to all come to the realisation that not everything need quick monetary return, some like the environment deserve a pause even just enough to realise that your first action wasn’t the real one.

World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.

However, Children’s Day in Nigeria is celebrated annually on May 27th. It is a public holiday exclusively for school-aged children, providing them with a day off from classes to celebrate with their families, friends, and communities. We now live in the new world order where

Children are the most impacted but the least responsible for global greenhouse gas emissions. Supporting them requires building climate-resilient community services and elevating young voices as Climate change drives the spread of infectious and vector-borne diseases like malaria and diarrhea, reversing decades of global health progress.

Additionally, children need our protection since Climate change drives the spread of infectious and vector-borne diseases like malaria and diarrhea, reversing decades of global health progress. On this day, our greatest challenges should be the

Nearly 1 billion children that live in countries at extreme risk from climate and environmental hazards because their developing bodies are uniquely vulnerable to pollution and extreme weather, the triple planetary crisis climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss directly threatens their health, education, and long-term rights.

Virtually every child on Earth is already affected by global environmental changes. Their unique vulnerabilities and core needs manifest in several critical ways hence protecting children from extreme weather should involve staying informed, modifying daily routines, and having a prepared emergency plan.

Also, parents need yo prioritize keeping them hydrated, adjusting outdoor activities to cooler hours, creating a child-specific go-bag, and ensuring they understand basic safety instructions without causing unnecessary panic. Teach children how to contact you or a designated emergency responder since extreme weather can be scary.

They should also keep them calm by answering their questions honestly and reassuring them of their safety. In line with global practice of managing children in high stake weather conditions, Nigeria need to build institutions that inspire long term confidence in children by creating regulatory standards and stability that will guarantee their long time commitment without fearing abrupt policy reversals.

Children do not need to be flattened into the same usual conditions and language like their parents.

AVM (RTD) AKUGBE IYAMU MNSA fsi

PRESIDENT ASSOCIATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE PRACTITIONERS

CONSULTANT ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND ANALYST ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES

WARNING!!!!!

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