The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has raised alarming concerns about the effect of climate change on children's education and health through its 2024 report, Learning Interrupted: Global Snapshot of Climate-Related School Disruptions. Until now, most studies have focused on the impact of global warming on agriculture and weather patterns.
However, for the first time, this report highlights the severe consequences of climate change on children's physical, mental, emotional, educational, and overall well-being. This revelation has worried parents, education experts, and policymakers, putting immense pressure on governments to develop and implement urgent solutions to protect children from climate-related educational disruptions.
According to the report, in 2023 alone, nearly 50 million students in India suffered from the effects of heatwaves and extreme temperatures. The climate crisis is not just an environmental issue; it deeply affects children's education, making it difficult for them to attend school, concentrate, and perform well academically. India has been identified as one of the most climate-sensitive nations, with over 242 million children across 85 countries facing school disruptions due to heavy rainfall and floods. This means that in 2024, one out of every seven school-going children worldwide will experience disruptions in their education due to climate change.
UNICEF has warned that if greenhouse gas emissions continue at the current rate, by 2050, children will be eight times more likely to experience extreme heatwaves. The threat of global warming has significantly disrupted Indian society, the environment, wildlife, and agriculture. Record-breaking temperatures have made daily life unbearable, water sources are drying up, and farmers are struggling with failed crops. In 2023, the Indian Meteorological Department predicted that 2024 would surpass all previous heat records, marking it as the hottest year since 1901.
Climate change is not just an environmental issue—it is a direct attack on children's health and education. Rising temperatures cause physical exhaustion, dehydration, and heat-related illnesses, making it difficult for children to attend school and focus on studies. Additionally, extreme heatwaves and natural disasters increase stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders among children. These mental health challenges directly impact their learning ability and exam performance, creating long-term consequences for their future.
Children are naturally more vulnerable to climate-related disasters compared to adults. They have weaker immune systems and are more prone to illnesses caused by pollution, contaminated water, and extreme weather conditions. When disasters like floods, droughts, storms, and heatwaves occur, children are the least capable of protecting themselves. Many are forced into child labor, human trafficking, homelessness, and even begging, as climate change worsens poverty and economic instability.
Although climate change is a global crisis, its impact is particularly severe in India due to its large population and extreme weather conditions. The world is facing a massive challenge in controlling global warming, but little action has been taken. If nations do not reach an agreement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, temperatures will continue to rise, leading to even more disruptions in children's education and well-being.
Governments must take immediate and effective action to protect children from climate-related disruptions. Some potential solutions include adjusting school schedules to avoid extreme heat, improving public awareness about heat-related risks, and investing in extensive research to understand how climate change affects education and health in India.
The UNICEF report is based on research from the University of Oslo, but India must conduct its own localized studies to gain more accurate insights into the problem. Notably, the report has identified India as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for national action.
Extreme weather events in 2023 disrupted the education of millions of children worldwide, preventing them from attending school and affecting their academic performance. If this issue is not addressed immediately, children’s long-term learning outcomes and future opportunities will suffer greatly.
It is deeply concerning that wealthy and powerful nations are neglecting their responsibility in tackling climate change. While global warming is becoming a more severe crisis, many developed countries are failing to take serious action, worsening the situation. Their reluctance to reduce carbon emissions and adopt sustainable policies has made the global climate crisis even more dangerous.
The growing impact of climate change is not just a concern for India—it is a global emergency. If the world does not act now, this crisis will soon reach every home, every family, and every individual. The most tragic consequence will be the destruction of childhood itself, as children will grow up in a world full of disasters, displacement, and uncertainty.
Scientists and environmentalists have warned that global temperatures will continue to rise in the coming decades. If we fail to take decisive action now, future generations will suffer unimaginable consequences. The time to act is now—governments, organizations, and individuals must step up and implement effective climate policies to safeguard children's education, health, and future.
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*Journalist
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