Climate change and pediatric neurology: A call to action
Abstract
Climate change is accelerating toward and beyond critical warming thresholds, with profound implications for ecosystems and human health. Major uncertainties arise from socioeconomic and political responses, while the transgression of Earth-system tipping points may trigger abrupt and irreversible climate dynamics. Climate-related health risks are mediated by direct and indirect exposures, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. Children with neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders exhibit heightened susceptibility due to biological, environmental, and disease-specific vulnerabilities, alongside the cumulative lifetime burden of extreme climate events. At the same time, healthcare systems contribute substantially to global greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the need for climate-responsible clinical practice. Addressing knowledge and training gaps among clinicians is essential. Current initiatives within the European Pediatric Neurology Society highlight advocacy, sustainability actions, and the urgent need for high-quality evidence on climate impacts on brain health across the life span.
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