A new report by UNICEF warns that almost every child on the planet is now exposed to at least one climate-related hazard, with many facing multiple overlapping risks that threaten their health, education, and survival.
The report highlights that nearly half of the world’s children are exposed to at least three climate hazards, including heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires, and air pollution — a combination experts say is becoming more frequent and severe due to rising global temperatures.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said children are increasingly affected by extreme weather conditions, noting that “half of the world’s children are now living with at least three overlapping climate threats shaping their daily lives.”
According to the findings, around 1.8 billion children are exposed to drought, while about 1.2 billion face extreme heat conditions linked to disruptions in the global water cycle. The report also states that nearly all children are exposed to air pollution, with around one billion at risk of malaria.
The report calls for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the global shift toward renewable energy, warning that the situation will worsen without immediate intervention.
UNICEF emphasized that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality already shaping childhoods across the world, from education disruptions to increased health risks.
The findings come amid recent record-breaking heatwaves in parts of Europe and other regions, underscoring the growing intensity of global climate impacts.
