WASHINGTON: Climate change poses a threat to human health and safety, but children are uniquely vulnerable, especially in the world’s poorest countries, a policy statement from America’s professional association of pediatricians said today.

In 2030, climate change is projected to cause an additional 48,000 deaths in children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) statement urges pediatricians and politicians to work together to protect children from climate-related threats including natural disasters, heat stress, lower air quality, increased infections, and threats to food and water supplies.

Children in the world’s poorest countries, where the disease burden is already disproportionately high, are most affected by climate change, the statement said.