Record heatwaves endanger millions of children worldwide

According to a new report by Save the Children, 711m children were exposed to extreme heat in 2024, marking the highest number since international climate negotiations began in 1992. The report highlights that nearly a third of the world’s children are facing severe health risks due to increasing heatwaves, with regions like South Asia and East Asia being particularly affected. The report also notes that these extreme conditions lead to increased hospitalisations and disrupt education, with over 210m school days lost in April and May alone. Shruti Agarwal, Senior Adviser on Climate Change at Save the Children UK, emphasised the urgency, claiming: “When nearly a third of the world’s children are exposed to heatwaves, it’s not just a record, but a catastrophe.”