The new anxiety disorder observed in children, known as "ecological anxiety", is linked to the large-scale ecological disasters affecting the planet and negatively affects the physical and mental health of children and young people, whose lives and social well-being are now in immediate danger, MP George Loucaides said.
According to a statement, he participated today in a debate at the plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on the violation of children's rights as a result of inaction on climate change.
It is high time, Mr. Loucaides stressed, for governments, politicians and international institutions to commit to finding effective solutions for the well-being of future generations, since maintaining the present situation is no longer an option.
Referring to the Paris Agreement, Mr.Loucaides underlined that climate change is an urgent and irreversible threat to societies and the planet, while due to the unequal existing socio-economic system, the impact of environmental degradation is even greater on vulnerable social groups, with disproportionate costs for the poorest social strata and children.
As the Cypriot MEP underlined, it is becoming clear that people must finally be placed above profits and corporate interests in order to tackle energy poverty and promote climate justice and equity.
Mr.Loukaidis also referred to the lack of trust of younger generations in institutions, as a consequence of institutional and governmental inefficiency in dealing with the crisis.
Mr.Loukaidis also referred to the lack of trust of younger generations in institutions, as a consequence of institutional and governmental inefficiency in dealing with the crisis. Public authorities must reach out to young people, seeking their greater and more visible participation and promoting solutions through local, national and regional initiatives. Children and adolescents must be involved in the dialogue and decision-making processes to tackle climate change, which, after all, primarily concern them, Mr.Loukaides stressed.
The Cypriot MEP underlined the importance of institutionalizing a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of people who leave their country of origin due to extreme weather phenomena, since the main victims of forced migration are, unfortunately, primarily children, he said.
The Cypriot MP stressed the importance of institutionalizing a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of people who leave their country of origin due to extreme weather phenomena, since the main victims of forced migration are, unfortunately, primarily children.
For these efforts to bear fruit, Mr Loucaides stressed, there must be cooperation between governments, civil society, including children, and businesses. The common goal must be the implementation of relevant international treaties, such as the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the inclusion in the European Convention on Human Rights of the right to a healthy environment, in order to ensure to the maximum extent possible the protection of future generations and the sustainability of the environment.
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