Understanding the Relationship Between Extreme Weather Events and Childs’ Nutrition Aged 0-60 Months in Mongolia

Abstract

The rising global temperature is leading to significant climate, physical, and ecological changes worldwide. There is a strong consensus among scientists and researchers that these impacts are primarily the result of human activities, which pose threats to human health and safety, particularly among children. Climate change consequences such as extreme weather events, declining air quality, and insecurity in food, water and nutrients, adversely affect both the psychological and physical health of children. Thus, it is crucial to understand the relationship between climate change and health to implement strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change. These strategies are vital for preventing future hazards and their health implications. This research focuses on the impact of extreme weather events on children’s health in the case of Mongolia. Mongolia is one of the few countries that experience a range of extreme weather events, specifically harsh winters that could reach approximately -50 degrees Celsius in temperature. The prolonged cold weather lasts from September to June, leaving only 2 to 3 warm months in a year depending on each year, significantly limiting the time frame for achieving substantial crops and harvests. This extreme climate poses great challenges for Mongolia’s agriculture sector. Agriculture, including livestock herding, is crucial for employment and subsistence in Mongolia but is highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters like dzuds- severe winters following dry summers leading to the loss of millions of livestock. Mongolia's geographical position, extreme weather conditions, fragile ecosystems, and dependence on pastoral livestock and rain-fed agriculture make its economy, livelihoods, and traditional cultures highly vulnerable to the risks of climate change. Children are particularly susceptible to these impacts. Thus, this thesis examines the causal impact of extreme weather events on the nutritional and health outcomes of children in rural Mongolia. The study utilizes data from four waves of the ‘Coping with Shocks in Mongolia’ household panel survey conducted between 2010 and 2015 by the German Institute DIW Berlin. A simultaneous regression model is employed to establish causal relationships while considering various control groups. The results indicate that climate shocks, particularly dzud, possibly have a considerable effect on the growth

trajectory of children, significantly decelerating their growth when exposed to these extreme weather events. These findings will offer valuable insights for building resilience against such events, highlighting the benefits of preparatory measures over unsustainable, costly relief efforts.