Waste is a growing global problem which affects the health and well-being of people and the planet. Urban children in low-and middle-income countries, particularly the poorest, are among the most vulnerable to the health and environmental risks caused by poor waste management in cities. In this blog, to inspire our readers to take action, we Read more ā
Pollution
āNothing seems to change until suddenly it does,ā writes Duncan Green in his book How Change Happens. The exponential growth of school streetsĀ over the past five years powerfully illustrates how urban change can sometimes be non-linear and transformational. What are school streets? School streets are vehicle-free areas outside schools (or vehicles have severely restricted access). Read more ā
Swapping the car for a bike can work wonders for children and their caregivers, by making the city safer, more accessible and reducing emissions. Making our cities more cycle-able for children means making them more accessible for everyone.Ā The World Health Organization estimates that well over two-thirds of adolescents arenāt active enough, and believe a Read more ā
Growing up in a city full of cars can be damaging, and not just physically. It gives the impression that cities with cars are unchangeable, and will always be there. Even among childrenās toys, cars are given greater dominance than bikes. Take Lego, for example. Until this year, after a successful campaign started by urban Read more ā
We may see a house as just that: a shelter and a space to call home. But what if that house is inadequate? If the house canāt be kept clean or it’s situated along a polluted, dusty road? What if itās not safe, and even when they close the door, its residents canāt relax? What Read more ā
There are plenty of benefits to engaging young people in contests and competitions. They provide space for creativity and for those who rarely have a voice to share personal reflections and knowledge.Ā But running a contest with input from young people across the world, spanning language and cultural barriers, isnāt always straightforward. Hereās what ICLEI Read more ā
Air pollution has devastating implications. It can increase the likelihood of childhood asthma, stunt lung growth, and can even lead to heart disease and increased rates of diabetes. For the worldās poorest and most vulnerable, they tend to be on the frontline of air pollution. This is partly due to the location of affordable housing Read more ā