Opinion: Editor's view

It's easy to get bogged down by the problems of the economic crisis and the frustrations caused by politicians' decisions. But take a look at the new report from Save The Children about the likely effects of climate change on the world's children, and these concerns pale into insignificance.

The charity predicts that 250,000 children could die next year as a result of climate change. More than 900 million children in the next generation could be affected by water shortages, and 160 million more children may be at risk of catching malaria - one of the biggest killers of children under five - as it spreads to new parts of the world.

In short, Save The Children claims that climate change is the biggest global health threat to children in the 21st century. Droughts and floods will force families to leave their homes and mean that children drop out of school. The problems of child trafficking and child labour will intensify because of starvation and economic collapse caused by natural disasters.

It is vital that world leaders agree a tough deal on tackling climate change at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this December. However, this is everybody's responsibility. Those working in the early years sector can play a huge part by educating young children about how to take better care of the earth. Many settings are already starting to do this, and in recent issues of Nursery World we have run articles about Greenfields Children's Centre and their Eco-Fish (3 September) and Flying Start Nursery holding a Save Our Seas day (29 October). Make sure that you, too, take every opportunity to contribute.