A comprehensive review published in The Lancet Public Health reveals that climate change is systematically disrupting education systems worldwide, with children living in poverty experiencing the most severe consequences. Extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and environmental degradation are creating cascading effects that compromise academic performance and developmental outcomes for 617 million children globally who already lack basic literacy and numeracy skills.
The research, analyzing 29 studies across 18 countries between 2010 and 2024, documents alarming disparities in climate impact by household income. Children in extreme poverty face an 89% rate of learning disruption compared to just 12% in high-income households. Particularly concerning is the finding that girls are 40% more likely to drop out permanently following climate-related disruptions, further entrenching educational inequities and limiting economic opportunities for the world’s most vulnerable populations.
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