Children Will Experience Four Times More Extreme Events Due to Climate Change

Children and adolescents are especially vulnerable to climate change due to their developing bodies and immune systems. Extreme heat affects them more severely, making them more susceptible to dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Beyond their health, it can also affect their academic performance. Nearly half of schools in European cities are in urban heat islands, where temperatures are at least 2°C higher than regional averages. If classrooms are poorly ventilated and overcrowded, this will further hinder the children’s ability to concentrate and perform.

Researchers at Swiss TPH and partners from the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) have conducted a systematic review of exposures, policies and practical interventions for climate-related health risks in children and adolescents in Europe. They looked at various aspects of climate change, including extreme weather, air pollution and pollen, emerging infectious diseases, and food insecurity, and how they affect children's physical and mental health and academic performance.

“We found that children today will face four times more extreme events due to climate change compared to children born in the 1960s”, said Juliette Graber, first author of the report and scientific assistant at Swiss TPH.

Impact of climate change in Europe

In Europe, heatwaves have already caused dehydration, heat-related illnesses, and respiratory complications, with roughly half of children in Europe now facing multiple heatwaves annually. Notably, about one-third of European childhood asthma cases are linked to air pollution, which is worsening due to wildfires and high temperatures. Flooding and heat-exacerbated poor air quality have contributed to respiratory diseases, mental health issues, and the spread of parasitic infections among children.

The shift in climate patterns has also led to the spread of vector-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and West Nile fever, which are transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes, to previously unaffected regions. Climate-induced changes in agriculture and food systems are affecting food availability and affordability, impacting children's nutrition and development.

Future projections indicate a significant increase in health risks

As climate change continues, health risks for children and adolescents are expected to rise. Injuries, fatalities, and mental health issues related to extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, storms, and floods, will likely increase. Hence, researchers estimate that children born in 2020 in Europe will experience about four times more extreme events, especially heatwaves, than those born in 1960.

By 2050, all European children will face 4 to 5 heatwaves per year, along with the associated health risks. Respiratory diseases will worsen due to longer, more intense pollen seasons. Vector-borne diseases will become more common in new areas. Risks of water- and foodborne diseases and malnutrition will increase due to impacts on water quality and food production. Young people will face higher risks of anxiety, exacerbated by climate change-related displacement, education disruptions, and social instability.

Need for policy responses and interventions to protect children

“Our report shows that urgent, child-focused adaptations to health and education systems are needed to address these pressing challenges”, said Penelope Vounatsou, co-author and Head of the Biostatistics unit at Swiss TPH. The European Union has already taken steps, including the 2022 Council Recommendation on Learning for a Green Transition. This recommendation encourages the allocation of national and EU funds to invest in green and sustainable resources and infrastructure, and to support educators in teaching these issues. Other initiatives aim to reduce heat in schools and playgrounds or improve air quality in schools. Further action is needed in the areas of vector-borne and food- and water-borne diseases, and food insecurity.