Extreme Weather Disrupts Education: Millions of Students Miss School - Latest Climate & Environment Updates

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The climate crisis is here and hitting us hard. Our communities are facing stronger hurricanes and raging wildfires. Homes are being swallowed by rising seas, and heat waves are changing our daily lives.

Despite the challenges, there is hope. We know what steps can help us tackle this crisis. However, keeping track of all the climate updates can be overwhelming. With so much information, it’s easy to feel lost.

That’s where the ABC News Climate and Weather Unit steps in. We’re here to provide you with clear and essential information to help you understand and deal with climate issues that affect your life.

Extreme Weather Disrupts Education

An alarming report from UNICEF reveals that almost 250 million children worldwide faced disruptions in their education due to extreme weather in 2024. This has added to an ongoing “learning crisis.”

In total, 242 million students across 85 countries faced interruptions from heat waves, storms, floods, and droughts last year. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell highlighted that children are especially vulnerable to these weather-related crises. In 2023, severe conditions kept one in seven students from attending school, affecting their health and future education.

Heat waves were the biggest culprits. In just April, over 118 million students felt the heat’s impact, particularly in South Asia. September was another tough month for education, with at least 16 countries suspending classes due to severe weather events like Typhoon Yagi in East Asia.

While low-income areas bore the brunt of these disruptions, every region faced some effect. Russell emphasized that education should be a priority in climate discussions. “Children’s futures must be front and center in all climate plans,” she stated.

Support for U.S. Climate Obligations

Simon Stiell, the U.N.’s climate change executive secretary, noted that while government support is crucial, private contributions help countries stay on track with their climate goals.

This isn’t the first time Trump has exited the agreement. His justification centered on job losses and economic costs. However, in 2023, clean energy jobs outpaced the overall job growth in the U.S., providing over 8.35 million positions, as reported by the Department of Energy.

Michael Bloomberg, who leads Bloomberg Philanthropies, reiterated his commitment to supporting efforts aimed at cutting U.S. greenhouse gas emissions significantly. He pointed out the increasing prevalence of climate disasters, urging continued action against climate change.

It’s clear that while the challenges are many, the determination to face climate change is strong. Together, through awareness and action, we can work towards a safer future.

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