Planting Rays of Unity, Beauty, and Pride: Examining the Intersectionality of Climate Change Advocacy, Youth Violence, and Adolescent Health

Sadhana Dharmapuri, MD

Background: For decades climate change has threatened the health and wellbeing of communities and families across the globe. The intersectionality of climate change, violence, and health has been studied extensively in adults; however, limited evidence exists on effects on children and adolescents. Literature identifies increased risk of firearm related violence, youth displacement, poverty, income inequities, disruptions in social services, and mental health challenges as key mechanisms linking climate change to youth related violence. Climate change serves as a threat multiplier, worsening existing inequities within populations leading to more detrimental consequences in settings, communities, households, and for youth already vulnerable to adverse childhood experiences.

Methods: This workshop is designed to highlight knowledge gaps through examples of climate change’s impact on health and violence and the role health providers can take in promoting safer and healthier environments. We will highlight a youth-led initiative, The Sunflower Project, in which high school students worked to create a green space in an impoverished area of Chicago. After education on climate changes effects on adolescent health and violence youth embarked on this project with hopes of improving the environment, health, and well-being of the surrounding community.

Methods: Two dozen community and youth volunteers worked to create a sunflower garden on Chicago's west side. Youth solicited help from community master gardeners and volunteers. Space for the project was donated by a local resident and landowner. A collaboration of non-for-profit organizations donated and delivered seeds, soil, and gardening tools.

Results: Westbrook Memorial Green space was created with over a dozen sunflowers planted by local volunteers. These flowers symbolize a sense of “unity, beauty, and pride” for volunteers and community members. The sunflowers planted help aerate the soil, improve soil quality, and create shade for neighboring plants. Sunflowers help remove lead and other agents in the soil, creating an overall cleaner and safer environment for the surrounding communities.

Conclusions: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that the severity of climate related health risks is dependent on how well health systems and professionals can protect people; yet education around these climate-related health risks remains uncommon, particularly for adolescents. The youth led Sunflower projects demonstrate how education regarding climate change is its harmful effects on violence and health can be turned into advocacy. Health care providers are therefore urged to educate themselves and their patients on the harmful effects of climate change on youth violence and health.

1. Review the intersectionality of climate change, violence, and adolescent health
2. Examine climate change as a threat multiplier for AYA populations
3. Illustrate how education on the threats of climate change and violence can serve as an advocacy tool for youth
4. Describe strategies to help change environments, reduce violence, and improve health outcomes for adolescents.