A systematic analysis of climate change’s effects on education reveals a striking relationship between temperature and academic performance in low-income communities. Research shows that even modest temperature increases of just 1°C above seasonal averages produce measurable declines in test scores and learning retention among vulnerable student populations. The data becomes more severe at higher thresholds: reading comprehension scores decline by an average of 15% when classroom temperatures exceed 32°C.
These findings, drawn from 29 primary studies conducted between 2010 and 2024, underscore how heat stress directly impairs cognitive function during critical developmental periods. Children aged 6-12 years demonstrate the most pronounced impacts on academic achievement. The research suggests that improving classroom thermal conditions and school infrastructure resilience in low-income regions could significantly protect cognitive development and educational outcomes, particularly in regions where climate-related temperature increases are accelerating.
Read the full article on GMJ Newsroom.
Was this article helpful?
