400 Million Students Affected by Climate-Related School Closures, Report Finds
A new World Bank report highlights the dramatic impact climate change is having on global education, revealing that 400 million students have experienced school closures due to extreme weather events since 2022. The report stresses the urgent need for education systems to adapt to the ongoing climate crisis, especially in low-income countries, where students are most affected.
Children in these countries are missing out on an average of 18 school days annually, compared to just 2.4 days in wealthier nations. The disparity is a stark reminder of how climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations.
The Growing Threat to Education in a Warming World
According to the report, a 10-year-old in 2024 will experience significantly more extreme weather events than a child of the same age in 1970. They will face three times as many floods, five times more droughts, and a staggering 36 times more heatwaves. In Brazil, for instance, students in the poorest communities are projected to lose half a year of learning due to heat alone.
Even when schools remain open, climate change continues to disrupt education. Rising temperatures and extreme weather conditions make it harder for students to concentrate and teachers to provide a stable learning environment.
Climate Finance Overlooks Education
Despite the critical role education can play in addressing the climate crisis, it receives minimal attention in climate finance. Just 1.5% of global climate funding is directed toward education, according to the report. However, a relatively modest investment of $18.51 per student could significantly enhance schools' ability to withstand climate impacts.
This investment could be used to improve classroom temperatures, build resilient school infrastructure, and train teachers to navigate climate disruptions. These measures would not only protect students' learning experiences but also prepare them for a world increasingly shaped by climate change.
Adapting Education for a Climate-Affected World
The report stresses the need for governments to take low-cost steps to adapt education systems to climate change. By enhancing school infrastructure and ensuring learning continuity during climate disruptions, education can become a powerful tool for climate action.
Luis Benveniste, the World Bank’s global director of education, emphasized that students and teachers can serve as vital agents of change. "Improving school infrastructure, ensuring learning continuity, and leveraging students and teachers as effective agents of positive change can all contribute to a more liveable planet," he said.
Preparing Students for Green Jobs
As climate change reshapes the job market, the demand for green skills is growing rapidly, especially in low and middle-income countries. However, many students feel unprepared to take on green jobs due to a lack of knowledge and training in climate-related subjects.
Surveys reveal that 65% of young people believe their future is at risk if they don’t develop green skills, but 60% feel they haven't learned enough about climate change in school. The report also shows that each additional year of education increases climate awareness by 9%, highlighting the vital role education plays in fostering climate-conscious citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How is climate change affecting education?
A: Climate change has led to school closures due to extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and heatwaves. Even when schools are open, climate impacts such as high temperatures disrupt the learning environment.
Q2: Why are students in low-income countries more affected?
A: Low-income countries often lack the resources to build climate-resilient infrastructure, making them more vulnerable to extreme weather. As a result, students in these countries experience more school closures and greater learning losses.
Q3: What role does education play in climate action?
A: Education can raise awareness about climate change and equip young people with the skills needed to address it. By improving school infrastructure and training teachers, education systems can help students become effective agents of change.
Q4: Why is education underfunded in climate finance?
A: Education receives only a small portion of climate finance, with just 1.5% directed towards it. This underfunding limits the ability of schools to adapt to climate challenges and contribute to climate action.
Q5: What are green jobs, and why are they important?
A: Green jobs are roles that contribute to preserving or restoring the environment, such as renewable energy engineers or sustainability consultants. As the world transitions to a low-carbon economy, the demand for these jobs is growing, making green skills essential for the future workforce.
- Since 2022, 400 million students worldwide have faced school closures due to climate-related events, according to a World Bank report.
- Children in low-income countries are most affected, losing an average of 18 school days per year compared to 2.4 days in wealthier countries.
- A child born in 2024 is expected to face a significantly higher number of extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, and heatwaves.
- Schools are not only closing but are also losing learning opportunities when open due to climate impacts, such as heat disruptions.
- Education is underfunded in climate finance, with only 1.5% of funding directed towards education despite its potential role in climate action.
- Small investments can improve school infrastructure and resilience, making it possible to reduce learning losses and support green jobs and skills.
- Many students are eager to engage in climate action but feel underprepared due to gaps in their education about green skills.
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