The Climate Generation how pakistani childrens are growing in a world on fire.docx

Pakistani children are growing up in the eye of the climate storm—dodging floods, choking on smog, and braving heatwaves before they even learn to spell “climate change.” But they’re not just victims—they’re rising as voices for a cooler, safer future. The world may be on fire, but this generation is ready to fight for rain

1. The Climate Generation:
How Pakistani Children Are Growing Up in a World on
Fire
The Climate Generation: How Pakistani Children Are Growing Up in a World on Fire
In Pakistan today, childhood is no longer defined by school uniforms and cricket matches—it’s shaped by evacuation warnings,
waterlogged homes, and blistering heat. As climate change intensifies, Pakistani children are bearing the brunt of a crisis they did not
create. From the floodplains of Sindh to the smog-choked streets of Lahore, the youngest generation is growing up in a world on fire.
A Childhood Disrupted
Pakistan ranks among the countries where children face the highest climate risks in South Asia, according to a recent UNICEF report.
Extreme weather events—once rare—are now seasonal. In April 2024, Pakistan recorded its wettest April in over 60 years, with
torrential rains killing 144 people, including dozens of children. In 2022, catastrophic floods displaced millions, including 12-year-old
Mehreen, whose home was swallowed by rainwater. She and her siblings lived in a makeshift shelter for months. These disasters are
not isolated. They’re part of a growing pattern that threatens every aspect of child development—from nutrition and education to
mental health and safety.

2. Health and Safety at Risk
Climate change is impacting child health from pregnancy to adolescence. Rising
temperatures and air pollution contribute to respiratory illnesses, heat stress, and
waterborne diseases. Malnutrition spikes during climate-induced food shortages,
and displacement from floods or droughts disrupts access to healthcare and
education.
In urban centers like Karachi and Lahore, children breathe some of the most
polluted air in the world. In rural areas, they face contaminated water and
collapsing infrastructure. The climate crisis is not just environmental—it’s deeply
personal.
Voices from the Frontlines
Despite these challenges, Pakistani children are not passive victims. Many are becoming vocal advocates for change. Youth-led
climate movements are gaining traction, with students organizing clean-up drives, tree-planting campaigns, and awareness sessions
in schools. Their resilience is a beacon of hope—but they need support.
What Needs to Change
At COP29 in 2024, Pakistan and UNICEF signed a declaration to prioritize child-centric climate adaptation. This includes integrating
child rights into climate policies, building resilient infrastructure, and ensuring access to clean water, education, and healthcare during
disasters.
But declarations must translate into action. Protecting the climate generation requires:
Investing in disaster-resilient schools and hospitals
Expanding early warning systems and evacuation plans
Improving air and water quality standards
Empowering youth through education and leadership programs

3. A Future Worth Fighting For
Pakistani children deserve more than survival—they deserve a future. As the climate crisis deepens, the choices we make today will
define their tomorrow. Will we let them inherit a burning world, or will we fight to cool it down?
The climate generation is watching. And they’re ready to lead.
Submitted by: Aliha Pirzada
Roll number: 2025-ES-24
University: UET, Lahore