Climate, Environment, and Childhood in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Catalog description

Climatic and environmental hazards and their implications for the health and welfare of children are a major global concern. In a recent press release, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimated that approximately one billion children are at extremely high risk of experiencing impacts of the climate crisis; many will experience multiple climate shocks combined with poor essential services such as water, sanitation, and healthcare. Children from poorer countries and those from economically, socially, and politically marginalized groups within countries may be particularly vulnerable to climate risks and environmental hazards. Focusing on low- and middle-income countries, this class will explore the question, how do global childhood inequalities, broadly defined, condition both the risks of experiencing climatic and environmental hazards and the impacts, once exposed. The course is appropriate for graduate students and advanced undergraduates.