Climate change exposes 580 million children to 20 extra ‘heat-stress days’ every year
More than 40% of children under the age of 10 globally are already experiencing at least 20 additional “heat-stress days”… The post Climate change exposes 580 million children to 20 extra ‘heat-stress days’ every year appeared first on Carbon Brief .
A recent study published in Science Advances reveals that over 580 million children worldwide are exposed to an additional 20 hot, humid days every year due to climate change. This study, conducted by scientists from the same team that previously warned about children's increased exposure to extreme weather, combines climate models with demographic data.
The research highlights that children aged ten or younger are the age group most affected globally, and south Asia and west Africa bear the brunt of this issue. These regions, with rapidly growing populations and a high proportion of young children, are experiencing the greatest exposure to dangerous levels of humid heat.
The study defines a "heat-stress day" as any day with a wet-bulb globe temperature above 28C, the threshold for moderate heat stress. As temperatures rise due to human-induced climate change, children will continue to face a higher risk of heat stress than any other age group, according to the lead author of the study. The findings emphasize the need for climate justice discussions, as children in developing countries have contributed the least to historical greenhouse gas emissions.
Extreme heat can lead to deadly consequences, such as the tens of thousands of excess deaths caused by European heatwaves in the summer of 2026.
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