Heatwaves are evaporating the right to play
Source: The Hindu
For Prelims:
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 31
- International Day of Play (June 11, 2024)
- UNICEF's Children's Climate Risk Index (CCRI)
- Urban heat island effect
- Bioclimatic design principles
- State Action Plans on Climate Change
For Mains:
- Impact of climate change on children's right to play
- Socio-economic disparities in access to play spaces
- Urbanization and environmental degradation effects on safe play areas
- Long-term impacts of limited play on child development and economy
- Climate anxiety among children and young people
- Urban planning strategies for mitigating heat effects on play spaces
Highlights of the Article:
- Recognition of play as a vital aspect of children's development and well-being.
- Climate change limiting playtime, especially in countries like India with high climate risk.
- Socio-economic barriers and climate change combined affecting children's play opportunities.
- Call for adaptive measures such as bioclimatic design in urban planning.
- Emphasis on local community efforts to provide safe play spaces.
- Role of children as advocates and participants in addressing environmental issues.
- Importance of integrating these concerns into broader climate action plans.
Context
The article "Heatwaves are evaporating the right to play" from The Hindu discusses the impact of climate change on children's right to play, highlighting how extreme weather events and rising temperatures are limiting outdoor activities. It underscores the significance of play for children's social, physical, and mental development, as recognized by the United Nations. The article also delves into socio-economic disparities that affect children's access to play and advocates for adaptive measures in urban planning and community involvement to mitigate these impacts
UPSC EXAM NOTES ANALYSIS
1.India’s ranking, South Asia’s problem
- The 2021 report by UNICEF's Children’s Climate Risk Index (CCRI) ranks India 26th out of 163 countries, indicating it as one of the most climate-vulnerable nations for children. Frequent and severe floods, heatwaves, and droughts are increasingly affecting families and children, with heatwaves in particular making outdoor play unsafe.
- India has faced rising and record-breaking temperatures, which not only restrict children's outdoor activities but also pose serious health risks.
- UNICEF's recent analysis shows that South Asia has the highest proportion of children exposed to extreme high temperatures.
- In India, heatwaves have resulted in school closures and limited outdoor activities to safeguard children, potentially affecting their long-term physical and mental health.
- Additionally, the shortage of play opportunities disproportionately impacts disadvantaged children, worsening existing inequalities and perpetuating poverty cycles.
- Urbanization and environmental degradation are reducing the availability of safe play areas, particularly in low-income communities where playgrounds are often lacking or poorly maintained.
- Overcrowded and small housing further limits indoor play. Research indicates that restricted access to safe play areas impairs children's physical and cognitive development, leading to long-term economic consequences like a less skilled workforce and increased social welfare costs.
- A global survey on climate anxiety among children and young people also revealed heightened climate-related anxiety and disappointment with government actions, affecting their daily lives
2.Heatwave and it's effects
A heatwave is a prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity, particularly in oceanic climate countries. While definitions can vary, a common measure is a period of at least three consecutive days where temperatures are above the historical averages for that region.
Effects of heatwaves:
- Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration. These conditions can be severe and sometimes fatal, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
- High temperatures can exacerbate respiratory diseases due to increased levels of pollutants and allergens in the air
- The heart has to work harder to pump blood to the skin to cool the body, which can be dangerous for individuals with cardiovascular diseases
- Heatwaves can dry out vegetation, increasing the risk of wildfires, which can destroy ecosystems, homes, and infrastructure.
- Prolonged heat can lead to droughts, reducing water availability for drinking, agriculture, and industry
- High temperatures can disrupt animal behaviors, habitats, and food sources, potentially leading to decreased biodiversity
- Crops can be damaged by excessive heat, reducing yields and leading to higher food prices.
- Increased use of air conditioning and cooling systems leads to higher energy demand, which can strain power grids and result in higher electricity costs
- Prolonged heat can cause roads, railways, and other infrastructure to degrade more quickly, leading to increased maintenance costs
3. Adaptive measures
- To prevent long-term negative impacts, it is crucial to adopt bioclimatic design principles in playground infrastructure and incorporate urban planning strategies. This includes creating green spaces and cooling corridors within cities to alleviate the urban heat island effect, which is worsened by extensive concrete construction, and to provide safe play environments for children.
- Additionally, the availability and access to existing infrastructure and green spaces, such as parks, should be increased.
- In many Indian cities, local communities and sometimes municipal governments impose restrictions on park access during certain times, further limiting children's play opportunities. Conflicts often arise in public parks due to differing needs based on age (e.g., older citizens versus children) and socio-economic status.
- A dedicated effort is needed to address these issues locally and equitably. Communities can collaborate to establish shaded areas in parks where children can play on hot days. Long-term solutions should focus on preserving and adapting traditional architectural techniques to incorporate passive heating and cooling methods.
- These planning aspects should be integrated into State Action Plans on Climate Change and city master plans. Special attention must be given to the needs of low-income communities.
- For instance, slum rehabilitation colonies in outer Delhi often lack green cover, and areas designated for playgrounds frequently become dumping grounds for solid waste. This forces children to spend more time indoors with limited opportunities for social interaction and recreation
4.Conclusion
Children have the potential to be influential advocates for change. By offering students hands-on opportunities and platforms to take concrete actions, such as engaging in biodiversity mapping, air pollution monitoring, and water quality assessments, we can empower them to understand and address environmental issues. Involving students in local climate initiatives, like the carbon-neutral panchayats in Kerala, can serve as a promising starting point.
Although the first International Day of Play has passed, it is essential to acknowledge and address the negative impact of climate change on children's right to play. By doing so, we not only support their development and well-being but also cultivate a generation prepared to tackle future challenges
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Mains Practice Questions
1.Discuss the impact of climate change on children's right to play, with a focus on the socio-economic disparities exacerbated by extreme weather conditions. Provide examples from India
2.Evaluate the importance of integrating bioclimatic design principles in urban planning to create safe play environments for children. How can green spaces and cooling corridors mitigate the urban heat island effect?
3.Analyze the role of local communities in providing safe play spaces for children in the context of increasing urbanization and environmental degradation. Highlight successful local initiatives that have addressed these challenges
4.Discuss how hands-on educational opportunities and student involvement in environmental advocacy can empower children to address climate change. Use the example of carbon-neutral panchayats in Kerala to illustrate your points
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