APPRAISING THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ON CHILDREN’S RIGHTS: THE ROLE OF LAW

Abstract

The right to a safe, clean and healthy environment is very essential for the growth and development of the child. The magnitude of environmental harm is an imperative and systemic threat to children’s rights globally. Unsustainable use of natural resources, combined with widespread contamination through pollution and waste, have had untold impact on the natural environment, fueling climate change, intensifying toxic pollution of water, air and soil, causing ocean acidification, and devastating biodiversity and the very ecosystems that support and sustain all life, including children. International, regional and national laws on the protection of rights of the child, provide that in every action concerning a child, whether undertaken by an individual, public or private body, institutions of service, court of law, or administrative or legislative authority, the best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration. As rights-holders, children are entitled to protection from infringements of their rights stemming from environmental harm and to be recognized and fully respected as active environmental inhabitants. A clean, healthy and sustainable environment is necessary for the full enjoyment of a broad range of children’s rights, including life, survival and development, health, education, adequate standard of living, housing, food, water and sanitation, rest, play, leisure and cultural life, and protection from violence and exploitation. This paper is a discourse on the human activities degrading the environment, their impact on the rights of children and the way out of the worrisome situation. It adopted the doctrinal research methodology