To say that the world — India included — is facing an unprecedented environment destruction crisis is an understatement. Climate change, air pollution, deforestation, water and food insecurity, melting ice caps, rising sea levels and global warming are gradually despoiling the life supportive ecology of Planet Earth — and threatening the survival of humankind, and children in particular. At the recently concluded COP 28 United Nations (UN) climate meeting in Dubai, world leaders from 200 countries discussed these threats to life and happiness of homo sapiens and what governments can do to limit damage and repair for the future.
However, we don’t need a global COP 28 Meeting to tell us about the severity of the environmental crisis. Last year (2023) was the hottest year on record with global temperature rising by 1.50C. In India, Delhi, the national capital, has been designated the most polluted city in the world by Swiss Group IQAir. Air pollution has risen to such dangerously high levels in Delhi that an increasing number of even relatively well-provided middle class children are reporting respiratory health problems which adversely affect brain development. According to a report of NITI Aayog — the Union government’s thinktank — 21 metro cities, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad are confronted with severe water shortages crisis due to overexploitation, pollution, and climate change, and are expected to run out of groundwater by 2025, i.e, next year. On all other parameters of environmental protection, India’s record and stats are similarly alarming.
In our first cover story of 2024, we highlight what safeguards and steps need to be taken in the country’s 260 million households to reduce the impact of environment despoliation at the grassroots level. Parents have to implant new ideas about sustainable living and lifestyles in the minds of children from youngest age. Read our cover feature to learn about simple ways and means parents can motivate children of all ages to practice green and sustainable living and forsake environmentally damaging wasteful over-consumption which has brought Planet Earth to the brink of disaster.
There’s much else in this issue. In our Early Childhood essay, neonatologist Dr. Saurabh Khanna shares 12 ways to build young children’s immune systems and in the Health section, pediatrician Dr. Himani Kashyap advises parents to teach children good eating habits such as mindful eating, choosing right mix of healthy foods and dining etiquette. Also check out the Special Essay highlighting three basics parents should teach children about ubiquitous Artificial Intelligence.
Happy and healthy 2024!
