Climate crisis ‘denying children an education’ say Trócaire as charity launches appeal in Cork 

Children all over the world are being denied an education due to the effects of the climate crisis, said Trócaire, as it launched its annual Trócaire Box appeal for Lent in Cork yesterday.

The charity said that more than 242m students in 85 countries had their school education disrupted in 2024 by extreme climate events.

“The communities and families we work with are increasingly affected by erratic weather patterns caused by climate change,” said Trócaire CEO Caoimhe de Barra.

“The deep injustice of this is that those who have done least to cause the climate crisis and who have the least capacity to absorb and recover from its impact, or adapt in response, are suffering most severely from its impacts.

“As many of these rural communities rely on growing and selling crops to earn an income, the loss of livelihood has knock-on effects for families. This is why we are urging the people of Co Cork to support the Trócaire Box appeal this Lent.

“In developing countries, storms and droughts are wiping out livelihoods and often mean that children have to leave school permanently so they can work to help support their families. Countries where people are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change are also regions where children already receive fewer years of schooling.”

In 2023/2024, Trócaire supported 2.2m people across 20 countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.

“Climate change could push as many as 130m people into extreme poverty by the year 2030, wiping out many of the development gains lower-income countries have made,” said Ms de Barra. “This Lent, we are asking the people of Cork to help us support communities as they mitigate and adapt to the effects of the climate crisis, so that they can continue farming, protect their homes from flooding, make a fair living from their crops, send their children to school, and become more resilient.”

Trócaire boxes will be distributed to thousands of homes, schools, and churches across Cork this week. Donations can also be made online at trocaire.org or by calling 1800 408 408.