Climate and Children: How Rising Temperatures Affect Learning and Health?

Across the world, climate change is no longer a distant concern. Rising temperatures are increasingly shaping how children learn, grow and stay healthy, making climate awareness for children an urgent priority for families.

Why climate awareness for children is critical?

• Leading organisations like the United Nations (UN), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO) and global research bodies highlight children as the most vulnerable to climate risks.
• Over 1 billion children are at extremely high risk from climate impacts globally.
• Climate change is now recognised as a child rights and development issue, not just an environmental concern.

Impact on learning and education systems

• A global systematic review (2026) highlights that extreme heat creates non-optimal learning environments, affecting academic performance.
• Climate disruptions caused 242 million children to miss school in 2024 alone, due to heatwaves, floods and storms.
• Research by organisations like Overseas Development Institute (ODI) confirms that climate hazards lead to:
  • Reduced concentration and memory
  • Increased absenteeism
  • Long term learning gaps

• Cognitive overload: The brain diverts energy to regulate body temperature, reducing focus and processing ability.
• Decreased attention span: Even slight rises in classroom temperature significantly lower attention and task performance.
• Impaired memory retention: Heat stress affects the brain’s ability to store and recall information.
• Physical fatigue: Dehydration, sweating and discomfort reduce participation and engagement.
• Sleep disruption: Warmer nights impact sleep quality, affecting next day alertness and learning capacity.
• Emotional irritability: Increased heat leads to stress and difficulty in emotional regulation.
• Learning disruptions: Power cuts, overheating devices and poor infrastructure interrupt continuity.
• Widening inequality: Lack of cooling and proper infrastructure in some schools increases educational disparity.

Health risks linked to climate change

• Children are more vulnerable due to developing immune systems and higher respiratory rates (faster breathing, higher pollutant intake).
• Key risks include:
  • Heat stress and dehydration
  • Respiratory illnesses due to air pollution
  • Spread of climate sensitive diseases like dengue

• Increased risk of heat exhaustion: Children’s bodies heat up faster and cool down slower than adults.
• Worsening asthma and allergies: Higher temperatures and pollution levels aggravate respiratory conditions.
• Water borne diseases: Flooding and poor sanitation increase risks of infections like diarrhoea and cholera.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Climate change impacts food production, affecting access to balanced diets.
• Mental health concerns: Anxiety, stress and climate related fear (eco-anxiety) are rising among children.
• Weakened immunity over time: Continuous exposure to pollutants and extreme weather reduces overall resilience.
• Skin related issues: Increased exposure to heat and UV radiation leads to rashes, sunburn and infections.
• Reduced physical activity: Extreme weather limits outdoor play, impacting physical fitness and development.
• Climate change affects nutrition, mental health and overall well-being.

Why this matters for India?

• India is among the most climate vulnerable countries for children, with rising temperatures, dense population and infrastructure gaps intensifying risks to both health and education.
• Increasing heatwaves, erratic monsoons, floods and air pollution are already disrupting school schedules, reducing attendance and affecting daily learning outcomes across regions.
• Recent global estimates indicate that 1 in 7 children experienced school disruption in 2024 due to climate events, with India contributing significantly due to its geographic and demographic exposure.
• Heatwaves have emerged as a leading cause of school closures in many Indian states, particularly during peak summer months, directly contributing to learning loss and academic discontinuity.
• Climate change is increasingly linked to developmental challenges, including reduced cognitive performance, health related absenteeism and long term educational gaps.
• In response, India has initiated several measures:
  • National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Focuses on sustainable development, climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
  • Climate resilient school infrastructure: Efforts to improve ventilation, green campuses and heat action plans in schools.
  • Environmental education: Integration of sustainability and climate awareness into school curricula in line with NEP 2020.
• Additional critical concerns in the Indian context include:
  • Urban heat island effect in cities, making classrooms significantly hotter and less conducive to learning.
  • Water scarcity in many regions, affecting sanitation, hydration and overall student health.
  • Air quality crisis, especially in metros, leading to frequent school shutdowns and respiratory issues.
  • Digital divide during climate disruptions, where online learning becomes inaccessible for many students.
  • Impact on rural education, where floods and extreme weather damage school infrastructure and limit access.
• These realities underline a growing need for climate sensitive education systems, stronger infrastructure and awareness, ensuring that children’s learning, health and future development remain protected in a rapidly changing environment.

Practical steps families can take

• Ensure hydration and cooling: Water, ORS, coconut water, light clothing and well ventilated study spaces.
• Spot early symptoms: Fatigue, dizziness, headaches, dry lips, etc. Cool down and hydrate immediately.
• Avoid peak heat and pollution: Stay indoors between 11 am–4 pm, plan outdoor time early morning/evening.
• Protect from pollution: Use masks on high AQI days; watch for coughing or breathlessness.
• Prevent infections: Avoid stagnant water, use clean drinking water and mosquito protection.
• Support nutrition and immunity: Seasonal, balanced diets to build resilience.
• Watch overall well-being: Irritability, poor sleep or low energy can signal heat stress.
• Build awareness and safe routines: Encourage eco-friendly habits and coordinate with schools for safety measures.

Climate change is reshaping both education and childhood health globally. Building awareness early helps children become resilient, informed and future ready. Sustainable actions today will protect both learning outcomes and the planet.