A new report from the World Bank highlights the profound impact of climate change on education systems worldwide, urging policymakers to take immediate action to protect learning environments and ensure continuity in education. The report, titled “The Impact of Climate Change on Education and What to Do About It,” emphasizes that rising temperatures and increasing extreme weather events are disrupting schooling, leading to significant learning losses and threatening the futures of millions of students.
According to the report, climate change is associated with a rise in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as cyclones, floods, droughts, and heatwaves. These events have resulted in massive school closures, exacerbating learning gaps and dropouts. A child born today is projected to experience significantly more climate-related disasters throughout their life compared to previous generations. For instance, a 10-year-old in 2024 will face three times more river floods and five times more droughts compared to a child born in 1970.
The report reveals that during the past two decades, schools were closed in approximately 75% of extreme weather events impacting over 5 million people. The consequences of these closures are dire: each day of school lost translates into lost learning, with evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic underscoring the long-term implications of school disruptions. Moreover, rising temperatures during school hours hinder students’ ability to learn effectively, particularly in regions already facing high heat.
Beyond direct impacts, climate change has indirect effects on education through health crises, food insecurity, and economic instability. Children exposed to extreme weather conditions are at risk of mental health challenges, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The report warns that without immediate action, the education sector could face a significant economic time bomb, with reduced educational attainment leading to lower earnings and increased poverty rates.
To combat these challenges, the authors of the report propose four key strategies for policymakers:
- Education Management for Resilience: Adapt education systems to enhance resilience against climate shocks.
- School Infrastructure for Resilience: Invest in building and retrofitting schools to withstand extreme weather events.
- Ensuring Learning Continuity: Develop plans to maintain educational services during climate-related disruptions.
- Leveraging Students and Teachers as Change Agents: Empower the education community to advocate for and implement climate action.
The report concludes by emphasizing that education is crucial for achieving long-term economic development and poverty reduction. However, it underscores the urgent need for governments to prioritize educational resilience in climate policy agendas. Failure to address these challenges could undermine decades of progress in improving educational access and quality, ultimately threatening the livelihoods of future generations.
As the world grapples with the realities of climate change, educators and policymakers must work collaboratively to safeguard the future of education and ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive in a changing climate.
For more details, you can access the full report from the World Bank here.
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