The Impact of Climate Change on Global Education
The ongoing reliance on fossil fuels is leading to significant disruptions in schooling across the globe, resulting in closures that can last for days or, in some instances, weeks. This alarming trend threatens to undermine one of the most remarkable achievements of recent decades: children’s education.
Data released by UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, highlights a stark reality: children today are experiencing a far greater number of extremely hot days throughout their lives compared to their grandparents. This escalating climate crisis has direct and severe implications for educational opportunities.
To understand the scale of the issue, consider the recent instances of school closures:
- Pakistan: In May, schools were closed for half of the student population, affecting approximately 26 million children, due to temperatures projected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius.
- Bangladesh: During an April heatwave, schools were shut down for half of its students, impacting around 33 million children.
- South Sudan: Similarly, schools were closed in April due to extreme heat conditions.
- The Philippines: The government ordered a two-day closure of schools when temperatures reached what meteorologists classified as “danger” levels.
- United States: In various districts, from Massachusetts to Colorado, heat-related closures or early dismissals have become more frequent in recent school years.
Although these closures currently represent a small fraction of total school days, estimates indicate a rapid increase in frequency. Reports suggest that the average number of heat days has doubled in recent years—from approximately three days per year to six— with projections indicating that this trend will continue to rise significantly by mid-century.
In essence, heat waves, intensified by the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, pose significant challenges to effective learning. Even when schools remain open, extremely high temperatures, particularly over extended periods, adversely affect educational outcomes, including student performance on tests. Research supports the notion that the learning environment is profoundly impacted by such conditions.
“We are deeply concerned that the increasing number of extreme heat days is likely to lead to substantial learning loss,” stated Lily Caprani, UNICEF’s chief of advocacy, during a telephone interview. This statement underscores the urgency of addressing climate change not only as an environmental issue but also as a critical factor influencing the future of education for millions of children worldwide.
