Recent studies reveal that climate change severely disrupts education worldwide. Extreme heat, floods, storms and other climate stressors cause school closures, learning loss and increased dropout rates. Low and middle-income countries face the greatest risks. This knowledge base explains the links between climate change and education through key facts and analysis.
Climate Stressors and School Disruptions
Extreme weather events such as wildfires, floods, droughts and storms frequently close schools. Over the past two decades, 75% of extreme weather events led to school closures affecting millions. These disruptions reduce learning time and increase dropout risks, especially in vulnerable regions.
Heat Exposure and Learning Loss
Exposure to high temperatures during early childhood can reduce schooling by up to 1.5 years. Studies across 29 countries show children born during hotter periods attain fewer years of education. In China, heat lowered test scores and reduced graduation and college entry rates. In the US, hotter school years without air conditioning caused a 1% drop in test scores, disproportionately affecting minority students.
Infrastructure Challenges in Schools
Many schools lack adequate heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Around half of public school districts globally need upgrades. Poor infrastructure worsens heat impacts on learning, especially in disadvantaged areas like some Brazilian municipalities where rising temperatures cause 1% annual learning loss.
Vulnerability of Marginalised Populations
Climate-induced education risks are higher for marginalised groups. Most countries severely affected by extreme weather are low-income or fragile states. Nearly one billion children live in high-risk areas. In the US, low-income families face greater exposure to climate-driven air pollution and related health issues, further impacting education.
Natural Disasters and School Safety
Increasing natural disasters cause deaths, injuries and damage to school buildings. For example, floods in Jakarta disrupted schooling and forced schools to serve as emergency shelters. Schools with disaster management plans reported better crisis handling, denoting the importance of preparedness for education continuity.
Long-Term Educational Implications
Climate change threatens to reverse decades of educational progress. Learning losses and school dropouts reduce future opportunities and widen inequalities. Addressing climate impacts on education requires infrastructure investment, disaster planning and targeted support for vulnerable communities.
Questions for UPSC:
- Discuss in the light of climate change how extreme weather events affect education systems in low and middle-income countries.
- Critically examine the role of school infrastructure in mitigating the impact of heat stress on student learning outcomes.
- Explain the concept of climate vulnerability and its implications for marginalised communities with respect to health and education.
- With suitable examples, discuss the importance of disaster management plans in ensuring educational continuity during natural calamities.
