Investments in climate change education and infrastructure in Europe and Central Asia

Climate change threatens all of humanity. But for children it is existential. A child born today is likely to live another 70 years or more, a period in which – without significant climate action – Europe and Central Asia will experience more heat, fires, floods, deteriorating water quality and air pollution. 

However, for society and the economy in general, the consequences of climate change go beyond that. Children's bodies and brains are much more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than adults. They also threaten children's physical and mental development in the long term – undermining their ability to reach their full potential as productive, problem-solving members of society. And this damage is already happening: in Europe and Central Asia, more than 100 million children are currently feeling the effects of climate change.

This means that the cost of inaction is huge. It also means that taking action now will reap financial rewards – now and far into the future. One of the most important ways to solve this crisis and ensure children's ability to contribute to society and the economy in both the short and long term is education. (More on unicef.org)