Children are dying

The headlines says: Climate change could kill 250,000 children.

The story quotes Save the Children saying climate change could kill that many children next year and the death toll could rise to 400,000 by 2030.

In a new report Save the Children claims that climate change is the biggest global health threat to children in the 21st century as droughts and floods force families to leave their homes and children to drop out of school. Starvation and economic collapse caused by natural disasters could even lead to more child trafficking and child labour.

Let’s not get into whether or not the climate is changing and if it is whether or not human activity is responsible for it.

Let’s ask instead is the study which resulted in this conclusion the best use of the charity’s limited funds and resources?

I have a lot of respect for Save the Children and donate to it. I particularly like the way money donated for a purpose goes to that purpose and that the bulk of head office overheads, in New Zealand at least, is paid for by branch fund raising.

In North Otago this is done by a small group of volunteers whose activities include running a shop and contributing to its stock with home made jam and other produce. (It’s worth a stop if you’re passing through Oamaru).

They do so because they want to help the millions of children in need today and that’s where the charity should direct its resources.

Save the Children should stick to saving the children who are dying now as the result of natural and political disasters. There are plenty of others with less pressing immediate needs who can campaign over what could cause children to die in the future.