How climate change will affect us in our lifetime: Part 1 (motherhood and newborns)

Climate change is no longer a distant threat. Air pollution and the effects of climate change have a real-time impact on our health. This is how we will be influenced throughout our lives.

Scientists already know that climate change – which is undeniably driven by human activity – is making extreme weather events, including heat waves, heavy rainfall and drought, more frequent and severe.

Now, a recent collection of articles published in the Journal of Global Health has found that pregnant women, newborns, children, adolescents and the elderly face serious health complications due to climate change. However, despite the increased risks of these groups, their specific needs have been largely overlooked in efforts to respond to climate change. (Julia Evans, more at dailymaverick.co.za)