Environmental Threats to Early Childhood Development: A Perspective Paper on Pollution, Climate Change, and Adverse Urbanization

As environmental challenges such as pollution, climate change, and adverse urbanisation become increasingly integrated into everyday life worldwide, it is crucial to examine their impacts on early childhood development, particularly across neurological, cognitive, mental, physical, educational, and social-emotional dimensions, to protect and sustain future generations. This conceptual perspective paper critically examines the discourse through three primary lenses: (a) a review of findings from contemporary scientific research on the detrimental effects of these environmental challenges on early childhood development; (b) an analysis of the limitations of existing evidenced-based approaches to prevention and/or mitigation, especially regarding their applicability in real-world contexts; and (c) suggestions of novel frameworks to guide future inquiry, such as a community-driven, participatory design. By doing so, this paper contributes to the global knowledge on environmental stewardship, sustainability, and high-quality early childhood development.