Climate change impacts children's health and education in Latin America

Recent reports highlight the significant impact of climate change on children and adolescents in Paraguay and Mexico. In Paraguay, a survey by Plan International involving youth in Guairá, Paraguarí, San Pedro, and Caaguazú found that 80% of girls and adolescents reported that heat or weather changes affect their health. Additionally, 51% missed school at least once in the last year due to climate events, and 46% felt less safe following a climate emergency. The survey also noted that extreme heat and droughts led to crop or livestock losses for 38% of respondents.

In Mexico, a UNICEF report warns that nine out of ten children are exposed to at least two simultaneous climate risks. These risks, including intense rainfall and heatwaves, directly affect health through increased rates of diarrheal and respiratory diseases. The report notes that a 10% increase in maximum accumulated precipitation over five days is associated with a 1.9% rise in infant mortality from diarrheal diseases. Furthermore, climate-related disruptions to schooling affected approximately 13.1 million children in Mexico during 2023 and 2024, leading to suspended classes and altered school calendars across 18 states.