The United Nations warned today, Monday, that children in South Asia face “extremely high risks” from rising temperatures, with the increasing impact of climate change.

The UN stated that about 460 million children are exposed to extreme heat in South Asia, or 76 percent of them, compared to a third of children globally.

“As global temperatures rise, the data clearly shows that the threat to the lives and well-being of millions of children across South Asia is intensified by heat waves and rising temperatures,” said Sanjay Wijeskera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia.

The Regional Director added that young children simply cannot stand the heat, pointing to the need to move or these children will continue to bear the brunt of more severe heat waves in the coming years.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, warned last year that the world is passing through a critical stage and heading towards a climate catastrophe if work is not done to reduce emissions and limit global warming, calling on the countries of the world to adhere to and maintain the international goal of preserving 1.5 degrees Celsius climate.”

Source: National Iraqi News Agency