Author: Earth Refuge

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Climate Change in Russia: An Impending Crisis

brown and gray concrete building during daytime

26 August 2021 – by Rachel Aronoff

Rapid warming in regions across Russia has left millions in danger of displacement. 

Climate scientists report that Russia is warming at 2.5 times the global average.1 Throughout 2020, Siberia experienced abnormally high temperatures and record breaking heat waves that peaked at 100º fahrenheit, (38º celsius).2 During the winter, temperatures were 50-59ºF (10-15ºC) above average.3 For reference, the median seasonal temperatures in this region tend to range from 60ºF (20ºC) in the summer to -13ºF (-25ºC) in the winter, with record lows reaching -90ºF (-67.8ºC) in northeastern areas of Russia.4

Siberia’s record high (100ºF) and low (-90ºF) display a temperature difference of 190ºF (87ºC). This spread exceeds some of the largest temperature deviations on earth.5 

Frequent and intense variations in the country’s seasonality have exacerbated extreme temperature anomalies. These changes act as a catalyst for environmental disaster, feuling massive wildfires, torrential flooding, and melting of permafrost. 

A vast majority of Siberian fires are burning above carbon-abundant peatlands and frozen soil that overlie actively thawing permafrost. These conditions have destabilized both rural and urban regions of Russia, resulting in increased damage to pipelines and the collapse of infrastructure. A report released from the Krasnoyarsk territory wrote that 60% of all structures in the closed city of Norilsk are deformed due to permafrost loss, adding to the displacement of its dense population.6

Research reveals that Siberian forest fires have caused a surge in carbon emissions by nearly one-third (395 megatonnes in 2020), in comparison to 208 megatonnes in 2019.7 

An increase in tundra fires has also given rise to a fairly new phenomenon known as ‘zombie’ fires. These burns stem from summertime wildfires that survive throughout the depths of winter, brewing beneath the snow packed surface. They remain insulated by highly flammable, carbon-rich vegetation that smolders and reignites as the ground defrosts.8

These fires have begun creeping further into northern spreads of Siberia, where peatland is plentiful. Peat fires emit 100 times more carbon than typical wildfires, and can be more difficult to extinguish.9 As fires continue to emerge in permafrost zones, the release of methane and other hydrocarbons will intensify global warming. 

Scientists warn that the permafrost layer may disappear completely within the next three decades if current warming trends prevail.10 These changes are predicted to release 100s of billions of tons of Co2 into the atmosphere, which will compound climate-sensitive issues around the world.11 

Widespread flooding in Siberia has also contributed to large-scale degradation and displacement. During the summer of 2019, flash floods inundated nearly 103 communities, leaving 33,000 people displaced and 2,165 in immediate need of medical assistance.12

Extreme variations in regional rainfall characteristics have amplified the frequency and magnitude of recent floods. In June of 2021, the Crimean City of Yalta declared a state of emergency after a cyclone hit the Black Sea Peninsula, lashing the region with intense rain. So far, the floods have submerged the city of Kerch and some surrounding districts, forcing more than 1,300 people to evacuate their homes.13 

A pervasive concern is that the Kremlin will continue to neglect the ever-present manifestations of climate change. However, the impacts of environmental disaster and displacement may eventually make climate policy too difficult to deflect. 

The future of Russia’s socioeconomic well-being rests on the implementation of a strong adaptation framework. It will be crucial for nations to work in union against the adverse effects of anthropogenic warming in order to curtail climate collapse.

Rachel Aronoff recently graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in English, and a specialization in Literature and the Environment. She is also certified in health and wellness coaching, personal training, and in the process of becoming a yoga instructor.

References

1 Nilsen, Thomas. (2015). Arctic Russia is warming 2.5 times faster than rest of the globe. The Barents Observer. Retrieved June 18, 2021. https://thebarentsobserver.com/ru/node/158

2 Erdman, Jonathan. (2020). 100-Degree Fahrenheit Temperature Confirmed in Siberia; 90s Measured at Russian Arctic Coast. The Weather Channel. Retrieved June 18, 2021.https://weather.com/news/climate/news/2020-07-02-russia-100-degree-heat-record-confirmed

3 Question More. (2020).  Siberia prepares for abnormally warm winter weather after year of record-breaking heat. RT Question More. Retrieved June 18, 2021. https://www.rt.com/russia/506198-siberia-abnormally-warm-winter/ 

4 Erdman, Jonathan. (2020)

5 Erdman, Jonathan. (2020)

6 Federal AIF. (2016). An attack on permafrost. Emergencies Ministry creates Arctic rescue centers. AIF. Retrieved June 18, 2021. https://aif.ru/society/safety/nastuplenie_na_vechnuyu_merzlotu_mchs_sozdayot_arkticheskie_spasatelnye_centry 

7 Newsflash Reading. (2020). Copernicus reveals summer 2020’s Arctic wildfires set new emission records. Copernicus. Retrieved June 18, 2021. https://atmosphere.copernicus.eu/copernicus-reveals-summer-2020s-arctic-wildfires-set-new-emission-records 

8 Freedman, Andrew. (2020). ‘Zombie fires’ are erupting in Alaska and likely Siberia, signaling severe Arctic fire season may lie ahead. The Washington Post. Retrieved June 18, 2021. https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/05/28/zombie-fires-burning-arctic-siberia/ 

9 Simon, Matt. (2021). Underground “zombie” peat fires release 100 times the carbon of wildfires. The Bulletin. Retrieved June 18, 2021. https://thebulletin.org/2021/03/underground-zombie-peat-fires-release-100-times-the-carbon-of-wildfires/ 

10 Conley, Heather and Newlin, Cyrus. (2021). Climate Change Will Reshape Russia. Center For Strategic and International Studies. Retrieved June 18, 2021.https://www.csis.org/analysis/climate-change-will-reshape-russia 

11 Technical Summary. (n.d) SPECIAL REPORT: SPECIAL REPORT ON THE OCEAN AND CRYOSPHERE IN A CHANGING CLIMATE. IPCC. Retrieved June 18, 2021. https://www.ipcc.ch/srocc/chapter/technical-summary/ 

12 News. (2019). Over 400 people injured by East Siberia floods. Russian News Agency. Retrieved June 18, 2021. https://tass.com/emergencies/1067371 

13 Davies, Richard. (2021). Crimea – Over 1,300 Evacuated After Severe Flooding. Floodlist. Retrieved June 18, 2021. http://floodlist.com/europe/crimea-floods-june-2021 

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Scientists Confirm That Amazon is Now Emitting More CO2 Than It is Absorbing

aerial view of green trees and river during daytime

24 August 2021 – by Evelyn Workman

A recent study has revealed that significant parts of the Amazon rainforest are now emitting more carbon dioxide than it absorbs. Up until recently, the Amazon has been one of the most important sinks of CO2, assisting in the absorption of the emissions causing climate change, however, this new research demonstrates that the Amazon is actually starting to help accelerate climate change.

The causes of this shift from carbon sink to carbon source are investigated in the study, published in Nature in July. It found that most of the emissions are caused by fires, many of which are deliberately started to clear land for beef and soy production. In addition to the fires, hotter temperatures and droughts also contribute to the forest becoming a CO2 source.

The researchers measured CO2 above the rainforest canopy at four different locations during the period from 2010 to 2018. At these locations 600 vertical profiles of CO2 were taken up to 4,500 m above the canopy. This allowed the researchers to investigate how the whole Amazon is changing. While previous studies have established that the Amazon’s CO2 uptake has been declining based on ground based measurements, this study is the first to use atmospheric measurements across a vast geographical area.

Lead author and researcher at Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE), Luciana Gatti, says the research highlights some bad news, that “forest burning produces around three times more CO2 than the forest absorbs.” 

Additionally, she emphasised that, “the places where deforestation is 30% or more show carbon emissions 10 times higher than where deforestation is lower than 20%.”

These insights are made even more worrying by the fact that deforestation rates have been higher under Brazil’s current president, Jair Bolsonaro, than under any past administration. And deforestation is showing no sign of halting, with rates hitting a 12 year high in 2020.

“Imagine if we could prohibit fires in the Amazon – it could be a carbon sink,” said Gatti. “But we are doing the opposite – we are accelerating climate change.”

“The worst part is we don’t use science to make decisions,” she said. “People think that converting more land to agriculture will mean more productivity, but in fact we lose productivity because of the negative impact on rain.”

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Floods in Bangladesh and Beyond

green trees on body of water during daytime

20 August 2021 – by Atoosa Gitiforoz

A new study published by Nature reveals a stark increase in the number of people exposed to flooding. For example, between 2000 and 2015, the number of people exposed to flood-affected areas in Bangladesh increased by 14.3 million. 

The study, using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) from 2000-2018 produced 913 flood maps, demonstrating a 20-24% increase in flood exposure in the first 15 years of the 21st century – almost 10 times higher than previous estimates from 1970-2010. Whilst previous studies focused on Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, this study identifies 57 countries where flood exposure is expected to grow. 

It is worth noting that one of the reasons this study has in fact produced such high estimates is due to the inclusion of dam breaks, pluvial events and snowmelts – factors often not included in other global models. However, the study does likely underestimate flood exposure trends in rapidly urbanizing areas, says the author; this is due to uncertainties in satellites and population growth modelling. 

The study concludes by pointing to ways flood-exposed population estimates could be improved in the future i.e. including more events over longer periods of time or at higher resolution, increasing the number of modelled events such as flash flooding where satellite temporal coverage is inadequate, comparing observation and modelling trends and refining future global population spatial estimates. 

Enhancing both estimation and vulnerability analyses can ultimately boost flood adaptation efforts and drive investment into mitigation efforts.

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Climate Crisis to Blame for Severe Madagascar Drought

brown grass field with green tree under blue sky during daytime

17 August 2021 – by Evelyn Workman

The worst drought in over four decades has hit southern Madagascar, leaving thousands of families on the brink of starvation, the UN food agency has warned. It reported that more than 1.14 million people are food insecure as a result of the severe droughts in the region.

According to the World Food Programme (WFP), thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes in search of food, and those who remained have been sustaining themselves on raw cactus fruits, wild leaves and locusts for several months. The district of Ambovombe is one of the worst affected areas, where global acute malnutrition rates have reached 27 percent, leaving many facing a life-threatening situation. In addition, malnutrition levels in children under five in Madagascar have almost doubled over the last four months, to a frightening 16.5 per cent. It is estimated that 14,000 people are already in catastrophic conditions, and this is expected to double to 28,000 by October. Few people have been able to access the area due to the remote location and weak road infrastructure, resulting in the delivery of aid being delayed.

World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director David Beasley, who visited the region, has said, “This is not because of war or conflict, this is because of climate change”.

Beasley has urged people to not turn their backs on the people of Madagascar, and, “to stand up, act and keep supporting the Malagasy government to hold back the tide of climate change and save lives.”

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The Effect of 5G Networks on the Right to a Healthy Environment

black metal post under cloudy sky

16 August 2021 – by Nabil Iqbal

The advent of the Fifth Generation (5G) networking system can be seen as a progressive step in our fast-growing world. However, one important aspect which should concern both governments and service providers is the effect of the 5G networking system on the right to a healthy environment.

In 2020, the issue was raised by scientists and doctors from 36 countries in an appeal to the European Union. The concerns were encompassed by numerous issues that have a direct link to the right to a healthy environment.

Escalations in Energy Consumption

There will be a massive escalation in energy consumption as large volumes of new components will be manufactured to enable the initiation of the 5G networking system. Such an enormous increase in energy consumption will directly affect and play a key role in climate change, as referred to in the IEA’s 2010 Report. Notably, approximately 4% of global electricity consumption and 1.4% of global carbon emissions are linked to telecommunication. The Ericsson Mobility Report projects that by the year 2025, 5G could have an estimated number of 2.6 billion users, and that the total number of global mobile subscribers could reach 5.8 billion.

As a result of these projections, it is believed that information technology could account for one-fifth of total global electricity consumption. By the year 2040, information technology could account for around 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In this way, the 5G system lacks energy efficiency and is not sustainable.

Increase in E-Waste

E-waste is made up of numerous components, the majority of which are hazardous. When these components are dismantled and inappropriately processed, they contribute to water, soil, and air contamination, and pose a serious risk to the right to a healthy environment. The Basel Convention was the first treaty that endeavored to safeguard human health – as well as the environment – against the detriment that has continually persisted through generations, management of businesses and corporations, transboundary movements, and the disposal of hazardous waste.

Notably, following the Fourth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties, E-waste was added to Annex VIII of the Convention. In 2011, the Mobile Phone Partnership Initiative (MPPI) was formally adopted at the Tenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention in Columbia. Its purpose was to encourage environmentally-friendly consumer behavior, and to advance a better alternative for reuse and material recycling. However, the effectiveness of the initiative is yet to be evaluated.

In 2015, an outline for the Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030 was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, encompassing the 17 integrated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). E-waste is specifically linked to many of these targets, and the increase in worldwide levels of E-waste poses a threat to the achievement of the SDGs.

The production of new devices incorporating the latest 5G network would accelerate the demand for this technology in replacement of older versions, which would in turn increase E-waste levels. The Global E-waste Monitor reports that global E-waste is estimated to reach about 74 megatonnes by the year 2030. This is about double the 2014 figures, and would further fuel higher rates of electricity consumption and the use of electronics with a much shorter lifecycle and fewer repair alternatives. In order for countries to manage and minimize E-waste in an efficacious and sustainable manner, coordinated action is required.

Threats to the Ecosystem

A survey by Ericcson indicates that in order to establish effective 5G networks, 70 million towers would have to be installed across the world by the year 2025. Such extensive installations would increase harmful emissions of 5G technology radio frequency waves. The known effects of towers and radio frequency waves on the ecosystem are multifaceted in that they affect human beings, birds, and insects.

Humans

According to the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) 2011 report, radio frequency waves pose a potential threat of cancer in humans. In the same year, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe released Resolution 1815 on the Potential Dangers of Electromagnetic Fields and their Consequences on the Environment. It called upon European governments to take all reasonable steps that required to mitigate exposure to electromagnetic fields, especially to children and young people who are potentially more vulnerable to developing head tumors.

In 2020, the Health Council of the Netherlands provided a detailed report evaluating the effect of 5G technology on the health of humans. The Council advised avoiding using higher frequency bands, since the risk associated with such higher frequency has not yet been declared. In light of this, the Council appealed to the European Union and requested a moratorium on the roll out of 5G technology until further research has been conducted to trace any potential health risks.

Birds and insects

The impact of cellphone towers and radio frequency waves on birds has been established in various research studies. In 2012, the Indian Environment Ministry published a report acknowledging the negative impact of the effect of cellphone towers on birds and bees. In a similar research study conducted in Spain, it was found that the radiation from these towers negatively affects the reproduction of birds. Further research has shown that insects – including honeybees – absorb a significant amount of radiation from the 5G spectrum. This causes alterations in both the function and behavior of insects.

Conclusion

This new and advanced technology is spreading rapidly across the globe, in spite of the serious threats it poses.

The developers of 5G are attempting to establish a network with a less harmful effect on the environment, but the results of this are yet to be ascertained. It should have been imperative that the implications of 5G networking were considered prior to its roll out, and governmental and international organizations still have not taken a hands-on approach. Efforts are allegedly being made to nullify the threats posed by 5G, but the authenticity of these reports is questionable.

The right to a healthy environment is crucially already under threat, and this should guide developers to consider the potential dangers posed by new technologies. Prevention lies in abiding by existing environmental policies, so that technological advancement is on par with the right to a healthy environment.

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Miami Condo Collapse – Did Climate Change Play a Role?

palm trees near buildings

16 August 2021 – by Evelyn Workman

Champlain Towers South, a 12-story beachfront condo in the Miami suburb of Surfside, Florida, partially collapsed on the 24th June. The death toll from the disaster sits at 79, as of 10th July, while a further 61 remain unaccounted for. Investigations are still being carried out to determine the precise cause of the collapse, however, questions have been raised over the impact the climate crisis and rising sea levels had on destabilising the building, and prompts further discussions on how climate change will impact other buildings in south Florida.

A 2018 engineering report on the structure found “abundant cracking and spalling in various degrees” in concrete columns, and that deteriorating waterproofing could cause “exponential damage” via the expansion of these cracks. 

“Cracks in the concrete allows more sea water to get in, which causes further reactions and the spreading of cracks. If you don’t take care of it, that can cause a structure failure”, said Director of the University of Florida’s International Center for Adaptation Planning and Design, Zhong-Ren Peng.

While experts say that the exact role of rising seas in the collapse is still unclear, buildings will become unstable due to the advancements of salt water which will weaken the foundations. Higher sea level increases the amount of saltwater the foundations of buildings are exposed to, and with most of south Florida already only a few feet above sea level, other buildings in the area could be subjected to a similar fate 

Harold Wanless, a geologist at the University of Miami, says the sea level in south Florida could increase by a foot each decade in the second half of this century, depending on the melting of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets. 

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UK Parliament Considers Joining Independent Expert Panel in Recommending ‘Ecocide’ as New Crime for International Criminal Court

gray and brown train railway near green green moutain

11 August 2021 – by Ben St. Laurent

In a renewed effort to incorporate environmental protection into existing bodies of international criminal law, an expert panel has developed a legal definition for the term ‘ecocide’ — “unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and widespread or long-term damage to the environment being caused by those acts.” The expert panel included independent criminal and environmental lawyers, jurists, authors, and professors from around the world. The Stop Ecocide Foundation, responsible for convening the commission, is working to amend the Rome Statute to include ecocide within the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) jurisdiction.

According to Guardian legal affairs correspondent Haroon Siddique, this present attempt marks the most recent in a long battle to establish a legal framework for ecocide, including an effort to include ecocide in the 1972 Stockholm Declaration, as well as the 1998 Rome Statute which established the ICC. While it currently lacks explicit jurisdiction over environmental cases, in recent years the ICC has interpreted crimes against humanity to include environmental destruction, with implications for member states as well as corporations operating within their borders. If the Rome Statute is amended to include ecocide, it would join the ranks of international crimes including genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression. Prof Philippe Sands QC, who co-chaired the committee, told The Guardian that the new definition of Ecocide “catches the most egregious acts”, including major oil spills and deforestation, but excludes daily activities that more broadly contribute to climate change.

Already, an amendment to the 2021 UK Environment Bill has been introduced by Green Party peer and former party leader Natalie Bennett, which would adopt the new legal definition of ecocide into UK law. If retained in its current state after the review process, this amendment would also create a path for domestic criminal recourse against those responsible for committing ecocide in the UK. Another amendment to the Environment Bill (page 85) proposed by Baroness Bennett would require that the UK government support an amendment to the 1998 Rome Statute, which would begin the process of the ICC expanding its jurisdiction to include ecocide. 

Article 121 of the Rome Statute maintains that any of the Court’s 123 state parties may propose an amendment to the treaty, and the ICC would require the support of at least a two-thirds majority of member states to adopt the amendment. If adopted, the amendment would enter into force for all ratifying parties one year after ratification, allowing the court to “exercise its jurisdiction regarding a crime covered by the amendment when committed by that State Party’s nationals or on its territory.” 

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Heatwave Linked to Hundreds of Deaths in U.S. Pacific Northwest and Canada

silhouette of mountains during sunset

9 August 2021 – by Evelyn Workman

A devastating heatwave hit the US Pacific Northwest and Canada last week, shattering temperature records in many areas across the region. The heatwave was caused by a persistent area of high pressure, known as a “heat dome”.

In Canada, temperatures rose to nearly 50°C, leading to devastation, including hundreds of deaths, melted power lines and wildfires. Lytton, British Columbia, broke Canada’s hottest temperature record on three consecutive days last week. A wildfire consequently destroyed the settlement on Wednesday, the heatwave leaving perfect conditions for its rapid spread. The community were evacuated, however, at least two people are believed to have died in the wildfire. Similarly, Seattle and Portland recorded three consecutive days of record breaking temperatures, peaking at 42.2°C and 46.1°C, respectively, on Monday 28th June.

A week after the worst consequences of the heatwave were witnessed, health officials are only now being able to take stock of the disastrous effects the heatwave has had on the communities. The heat was blamed for 95 deaths in Oregon, while 13 deaths were reported to be heat related in Seattle, Washington. Nearly 500 people may have been killed in Canada as a result of the record breaking temperatures. British Columbia’s chief coroner said that 719 “sudden and unexpected deaths” had been reported over the past week, which is triple the number expected in a typical year.

In addition, hospitals across the region were left struggling with the increased demand of people needing medical attention, due to heat-related illnesses in combination with water injuries and increased violence levels. Officials in Portland have reported that the area got more emergency department and urgent care visits in a single weekend than it would usually see in an entire summer. 

Climate scientists have warned that climate change will make these extreme heat waves more common everywhere, and that all societies need to prepare for extreme weather events. One of the world’s leading climate scientists, Michael E Mann, said, “Climate models are actually underestimating the impact that climate change is having on events like the unprecedented heatwave we are witnessing out west right now.” U.S. president Joe Biden and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau have joined scientists in blaming the climate crisis for the heatwave.

While the worst of this heat dome has hit, high temperatures are still expected to continue over the next week, increasing the risk of more deaths, illnesses, and forest fires.

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Social Media Specialist

Earth Refuge is seeking reliable and creative Social Media Marketing Specialists. This position is a volunteer role and will not be paid, but you will be playing a role in securing a future for our planet and its people! The time commitment for this role is flexible.

It is estimated that rising temperatures could exacerbate existing migration flows and generate up to 1 billion climate migrants by 2050. Earth Refuge is a legal resource hub & educational platform that seeks to mitigate and confront this crisis, bringing together the voices of those directly affected and those with the means to help. We want our social media platforms – Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn – to reflect this mission. Our Graphic Designer will assist you by providing you with branding and template advice. You will also have access to our Earth Refuge Canva account.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • You will be expected to produce fact packs (see our instagram @earthrefuge for examples) and to post engaging instagram stories
  • You will also have room to create your own content you believe would benefit Earth Refuge and its audience, such as interactive pieces or shorter videos
  • You may also be asked to produce instagram and YouTube posters for our Faces interviews and Archive submissions (we also already have templates available)
  • Repost and/or retweet relevant posts on climate migration, environmental justice and human rights (or related)
  • You will be given personal access to all our social media platforms

Qualifications and Requirements

  • Experience in branding, social media, and/or marketing
  • Understand social media strategies and how to increase followers
  • Self-directed and able to work without supervision
  • Energetic and eager to tackle new projects and ideas

Application Procedure

If you are interested in becoming a Social Media Specialist for Earth Refuge, please send an email with your desired role and name in the subject header to [email protected], e.g. ‘SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST – FULL NAME’.

Please submit the following documents with your application:

  • CV/Resume
  • Cover Letter
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Children Displaced Due to Climate Change: UNICEF UK Call for Action From UK Government

brown wooden bench on mountainside at daytime

4 August 2021 – by Evelyn Workman

A report, Futures at Risk: Protecting the Rights of Children on the Move in a Changing Climate, released by the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), analyses how climate-change related migration impacts children’s access to education and health care. There were 30.1 million new internal displacements caused by extreme weather related events in 2020, 9.8 million of these were of children. The report notes that this equates to 26,900 new weather related child displacements every day. 

Ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), taking place in Glasgow in November, UNICEF UK has called on the UK government to support children who have been forced to leave their homes due to climate change. In the report, they propose the government establish a technical facility, to be launched at COP26, bringing together experts across health, education, migration, and climate sectors to share knowledge and propose solutions to tackle this problem.

The report provides several recommendations for the UK government to better support and protect children displaced by climate-change related events. These include using the UK’s role as an international donor to champion the rights of children affected by climate change-related displacement, and meeting its commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and encouraging other high-income countries to make a similar pledge at COP26.

“The UK Government must use the opportunity of its COP26 Presidency this year to champion the rights of children on the move, galvanising widespread and ambitious action to address the challenges we know are coming,” Joanna Rea, Director of Advocacy at UNICEF UK, said, “If not, the futures of millions of children will be at risk.”