Frequent exposure to intense heat can significantly impair children`s learning abilities, particularly those living in low-income areas. This conclusion was reached by Australian scientists from RMIT and the University of New South Wales. Their study, published in PLOS Climate and covering nearly 14.5 million schoolchildren from 61 countries, revealed that prolonged stays in hot conditions diminish cognitive abilities, hindering memory, comprehension, and complex problem-solving.
Skills in mathematics and other subjects requiring logical thinking are especially affected, while reading and simpler tasks appear less impacted. Children from low-income families often reside in high-temperature zones, attend schools without air conditioning, and lack access to additional educational resources, making them most vulnerable to these consequences.
The scientists emphasize that this is not merely a matter of discomfort; overheating can, over time, lower overall educational attainment, slow developmental progress, and exacerbate social inequality.
The authors call for immediate action, including improving ventilation and cooling systems in schools, particularly in vulnerable regions, and integrating climate risks into educational policy development. This is crucial for preserving the learning capabilities of millions of children, especially amidst ongoing global warming.
It`s also worth noting that climate change impacts not only health but also the global food system. Every 1°C increase in average temperature reduces food availability by approximately 120 kilocalories per person per day.
