Children who are born today will grow up in a different world than ours. Climate change is no longer something far away; it is a reality that shapes their future. But that future is not only negative, it mainly depends on the choices we make today.
A warmer planet
Scientists, such as the IPCC, agree: the Earth is warming, and this will continue. Even if we strongly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, temperatures will keep rising for some time.
For our children, this means more heatwaves, longer dry periods, and more heavy rainfall. Summer temperatures that we now call extreme could become normal by the end of the century. In cities, life during heat may become more difficult, especially for vulnerable groups.
Too much and too little water
Climate change disrupts water systems. This means some regions will face more drought, while others will have more floods. For future generations, water use will become very important. Agriculture will need to adapt, and our cities will also change, with more space for water, green areas, and cooling.
Changes
Still, the story is not only negative. Our children will also live in a world that adapts. New technologies and sustainable energy may offer solutions. Think of new energy sources and better predictions of extreme weather. Organizations like the European Copernicus program already play an important role in measuring climate change and developing such solutions.
Awareness is also growing. Younger generations are often better informed and more involved in climate issues than ever before. Just look at how many young people have protested for the climate.
Not everyone will feel the effects in the same way. Some countries and groups are more vulnerable than others. Who carries the burden, and who has the means to adapt?
Hope
The future is not fixed. This may be the most important message.
If the world succeeds in limiting warming, for example to around 1.5 to 2 degrees, the effects will remain manageable. But if emissions continue to rise, the risks will grow and become harder to control. The world of our children depends on what we do today.
Future
Climate change makes us think about what we want to leave behind. Not only in terms of economy or technology, but also in terms of livability and nature. Our children will adapt, people always do. But the question is: are we making their future harder than it needs to be?
RESEARCH | ARTICLE © Junior Antonissen, Yanne Bonte and Fenneke Ruys, AP University of Applied Sciences Antwerp, Belgium.
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