Climate change is the greatest challenge that we will face in our lifetime. According to the US National Academies of Science, 97-98% of climate scientists agree that climate change is real, it is happening and we are causing it to happen. Here in the US and elsewhere around the world, extreme weather as a result of climate change has significantly impacted food crops, and food shortages loom on the horizon. Yet, for the first time in 30 years, our presidential candidates are ignoring the evidence and the facts and the – “big white elephant” – in the room, and did not take the opportunity to talk about climate change in any of the 3 presidential debates. In places like Bolivia however, they don’t have the luxury of debating – or not – the facts about climate change, they are just “living with it.”
As a member of the of the Global Team of 200, a dedicated group of mom bloggers from Mom Bloggers for Social Good, we have the unique opportunity every month to highlight and amplify the message around certain campaigns that positively impact the lives of women and children around the world.
This month, the World Food Program’s Bolivia Programme is one such campaign. The World Food Program works hard everyday to fight hunger worldwide. Fortunately, most of our children growing up in North America can’t relate directly to going to bed hungry and wondering when they will have their next meal. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world, this is a daily concern for families.
Grab the kids in your life and show them how they can reach out and “talk” directly to some incredible kids who are growing up in Bolivia. The World Food Program has created a special opportunity for us to meet and find out more about what the lives are like for kids at the Huarimarca School in Bolivia. Ximena, WFP’s Communications Officer in Bolivia, will translate and share your messages with the kids at the Huarimarca School, and if you are lucky, you and your kids may be one of the families that is selected to get a personal response!
Climate change, and its impact on water resources as well as related droughts and flooding can greatly exacerbate food shortages and hunger. While you are thinking about what to write to the kids in Bolivia, watch this short video by another United Nations organization, The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) that looks at how climate change is already impacting women and children in Bolivia and the ability of some children to remain in school and to get and eat nutritious meals.
While we prepare for Thanksgiving and think of the many things we are thankful for, it is important to educate and inform our children that in many places around the world children live very different lives then we do. It is also important to show our children that there are organizations like WFP and UNFPA working to improve the lives of these children and that each of us can have a role in helping to improve their lives too!
Yours,
Climate Mama
