A new UNICEF report reveals that extreme weather events, particularly heat waves, have significantly impacted the education of nearly 242 million children in 85 countries. The report highlights the urgent need to address the 'overlooked' consequences of climate change on children's learning and access to education.
Extreme weather events disrupted the education of approximately 242 million children across 85 countries last year, representing roughly one in seven students worldwide. This alarming figure, reported by the UN children's agency, UNICEF , on Thursday, highlights what it termed an 'overlooked' facet of the climate crisis. Heat waves emerged as the most significant culprit, impacting children's learning environments and access to education.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized the heightened vulnerability of children to extreme weather conditions. 'They heat up faster, they sweat less efficiently and cool down more slowly than adults,' she stated in a press release. 'Children cannot concentrate in classrooms that offer no respite from sweltering heat, and they cannot get to school if the path is flooded, or if schools are washed away,' Russell added.Human activities, particularly the unrestrained burning of fossil fuels over decades, have contributed to global warming and altered weather patterns. Global average temperatures reached record highs in 2024, surpassing the critical 1.5 degrees Celsius warming threshold for the first time in recent years. This warming trend has intensified both heat and storms, exacerbating droughts and floods, and leaving populations more susceptible to disasters. The reported 242 million figure is considered a 'conservative estimate,' according to the UNICEF report, acknowledging the limitations in available data.Students from kindergarten through high school experienced disruptions to their education, including suspended classes, rescheduled vacations, delayed reopenings, altered timetables, and even damage or destruction of school buildings due to climate-related shocks. Data indicates that at least 171 million children were affected by heat waves, with 118 million alone impacted in April as temperatures soared in countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Thailand, and the Philippines. In the Philippines, thousands of non-air-conditioned schools were forced to close, putting children at risk of hyperthermia. September, which marks the beginning of the school year in many nations, was also profoundly affected. Classes were suspended in 18 countries, primarily due to the devastating typhoon Yagi in East Asia and the Pacific. South Asia bore the brunt of climate-related school interruptions, with 128 million schoolchildren affected. India registered the highest number of affected children at 54 million, primarily due to heat waves, followed by Bangladesh with 35 million also experiencing heat wave impacts.These figures are anticipated to rise in the coming years as global temperatures continue to escalate. Half of the world's children, approximately one billion, reside in countries highly susceptible to climate and environmental shocks. If greenhouse gas emissions persist on their current trajectory, UNICEF projections indicate that eight times as many children will be exposed to heat waves in 2050 compared to 2000. Furthermore, more than three times as many children would face extreme floods, and 1.7 times more would be at risk from wildfires. Beyond the immediate consequences, UNICEF expresses concern that the cumulative impact of these disruptions could increase the risk of children, particularly girls, dropping out of school altogether. Already, approximately two-thirds of children worldwide lack the ability to read with comprehension by age 10, and UNICEF warns that climate hazards are exacerbating this existing challenge.Education stands as one of the services most frequently disrupted by climate hazards, according to Russell. 'Yet it is often overlooked in policy discussions,' she cautioned. 'Children's futures must be at the forefront of all climate-related plans and actions.' UNICEF advocates for investments in classrooms that are more resilient to climate hazards.
Climate Change EDUCATION CLIMATE CHANGE CHILDREN SCHOOL DISRUPTIONS HEAT WAVES TYPHOONS FLOODING LEARNING INEQUALITY UNICEF
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
242 mn children's schooling disrupted by climate shocks in 2024 — UnicefUNITED NATIONS — Extreme weather disrupted the schooling of about 242 million children in 85 countries last year — roughly one in seven students, the UN children's agency reported Thursday, deploring what it said was an 'overlooked' aspect of the climate crisis.
Read more »
Climate shocks disrupt education of 242-m children in 2024—UNICEFUnited Nations, United States—Extreme weather disrupted the schooling of about 242 million children in 85 countries last year—roughly one in seven
Read more »
Severe Weather Disrupts Holiday Travel Across USTornados in the Southeast and heavy snow and wind on the West Coast caused widespread flight delays and cancellations on Saturday, disrupting holiday travel plans.
Read more »
Snow Disrupts Travel in England and GermanyHeavy snowfall across England caused widespread travel disruptions, including airport closures and flight cancellations. Similar weather conditions also impacted Frankfurt airport in Germany.
Read more »
Zheng wins under center court roof as rain disrupts Australian OpenMELBOURNE, Australia — Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen made the most of the indoor conditions under a roof at Rod Laver Arena to advance to the second round of the Australian Open in straight sets Sunday while it poured with rain outside.
Read more »
Trump inauguration moved indoors due to extreme coldWashington, United States — Donald Trump confirmed that his inauguration as US president on Monday will move indoors due to expected freezing weather,
Read more »