February 20,2020

Andrew Campbell 

On February 19, the report “A future for the world’s children” was published to reveal the first comprehensive and independent effort in studying child health through our rapid climate change along with other existing threats. This landmark report was commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and The Lancet, a prestigious weekly peer-reviewed general medical journal.

The report gathered data derived from criteria of survival and death rates, educational achievement and nutrition. Accordingly, it identified numerous emerging risks critical to child health, environment and opportunities, which included runaway greenhouse gas emissions, predatory advertising and growing inequality in all countries. Meanwhile, it proposed novel solutions and pledged urgent action from 180 countries to ensure measurable results.

According to the report, Norway tops wellbeing criteria and leads in survival, health, education and nutrition rates. It pointed out the UK posted very serious issues with child poverty and inequality. The US ranked No. 39 on children's wellbeing based on "child flourishing index" measurements of children's survival, health, education, and nutrition. AS for the level of excess carbon emissions, the US ranked poorly at No. 173 for sustainability.

Among recommendations, the report urged all countries to stop excessive carbon emissions, to tighten regulations in commercial marketing of alcohol, junk food, and other harmful products, to install new policies to safeguard children's health, nutrition and rights and to incorporate children's voices into policy decisions.

Photo:Webshot.