Plan now for Children’s Environmental Health Day!

Posted by fsteele on April 21st, 2025 Posted in: Uncategorized

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April is Earth Month – a month dedicated to raising awareness and encouraging protecting health and the environment. Air and water pollution and other environmental factors impact sour children’s health. Remember Earth Day, and then please join the Children’s Environmental Health Network and our nearly 200 diverse partners as we harness all this April energy to inspire awareness raising, advocacy, and action to protect children from environmental hazards on Children’s Environmental Health Day (CEH Day) on October 9, 2025.

In 2024, CEH Day Partners organized events all around the world, reaching students, families, teachers, librarians, researchers, healthcare providers, decisionmakers, public health professionals, and more. Just a few examples include:

• A Youth Environmental Art Show at LOS/NR Fine Arts Gallery in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics in La Jolla, California
• The commissioning of a botanical garden at Kamangu Secondary School in Kenya, hosted by Africa Community of Planetary Partners for Health and Environment
• A legislative briefing on radon in schools at the Pennsylvania State Capitol by Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction
• A family-friendly environmental health fair in Decatur, Georgia, with VR experiences, book readings, food, games, education, music, with an accompanying educational digital event for kids using Roblox · An international eco-healthy art contest and read along with child cares and libraries

Why we need a children’s health lens in environmental and climate discussions.

Approximately 1 in 4 children between the ages of 2-8 in the US are living with a chronic illness, such as asthma, childhood cancer, or diabetes. In addition, about 1 in 5 children in the country have learning and attention problems. Early exposure to environmental risks–such as from air pollutants, lead in paint and drinking water, forever chemicals (PFAS), and pesticides–contribute to the increasing incidences of these conditions, and climate change multiplies these risks. In fact, children under the age of 5 bear 88% of the global disease burden resulting from climate change. Experts estimate that a child born today will experience 2-7 times the number of climate-related extreme weather and disasters during their lifetime as someone born in 1960. Many youth who have lost homes, schools, friends and family, or who have been displaced, suffer from PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Moreover, many children and adolescents are experiencing existential despair and anxiety because of the uncertainty climate change poses to their future and present circumstances.

We need to offer robust platforms, resources, and opportunities for positive action to our communities and our youth. Educating, empowering, and engaging the next generation of environmental stewards helps to protect children’s health as well as that of the planet. It builds agency and connectedness, and it improves mental health. As critical community hubs and centers of teaching and learning, information distribution, discovery, and connection, libraries are uniquely poised to do just that. Are you feeling inspired? Don’t let the Earth Day and Earth Month energy fizzle out! Plan ahead for October; check out the CEH Day library action guide and other resources to provide tips and ideas for hosting activities and raising awareness. These activities could include age-appropriate eco-book reading events with children, CEH Day art contests, and more.

Then join us as we carry the momentum forward throughout the year with #CEH365, the CEH Movement, as we build community and drive collective action to protect children’s environmental health. It takes a village, and we welcome you to ours. Reach out with any questions or to discuss your ideas for CEH Day and beyond. In good health,

Kristie Trousdale, MPH

Deputy Director

Children’s Environmental Health Network