Rising Temperatures Threaten Student Learning Worldwide

A groundbreaking study has revealed the adverse effects of prolonged heat exposure on the cognitive abilities of school children, a consequence of global warming. Australian researchers from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and University of New South Wales analyzed data from seven studies, covering nearly 14.5 million students across 61 countries, including India.

Published in PLOS Climate, the findings indicate that extended heat negatively impacts students' learning capacities, particularly in complex tasks such as mathematics. As global temperatures rise, the study warns of accumulated learning deficits among the youth, potentially reducing their capability for intensive cognitive activities.

This phenomenon could widen societal disparities and impede economic growth, especially in developing nations more susceptible to heat. The study underscores how climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable, low-income populations, limiting their ability to protect themselves from extreme temperatures.