Climate Change Is Disrupting Education, and It’s Just Beginning

Author: Samantha Grimes , National Climate Fellow

As the realities of climate change become increasingly apparent, one critical, often overlooked area is the impact on our educational institutions. Schools are a pillar of our society, nurturing future generations and fundamentally shaping the leaders of tomorrow. However, the increased volatility of the Earth’s climate is beginning to threaten the key functions of schools. Extreme weather creates consequences that could undermine the quality of education and the well-being of students and educators alike for the foreseeable future.

Outside of the cost of updating schools with new and more efficient heating and air conditioning systems, the quality of education is greatly impacted by fluctuating classroom temperatures. As a teacher in a school with uncomfortable but not life-threatening HVAC issues, the difference in student performance and engagement is noticeable when classrooms are too hot or too cold. Kids fall asleep more often when they’re cold and are more irritable and distracted when they’re hot. My school is lucky, as we have individual control of the room thermostat,but this is uncommon in schools within the United States. I keep a small collection of blankets for students to use as needed, but there is almost nothing I can do for them when the sun is blazing through the east-facing windows. These issues are typically only noteworthy during the winter and summer months. However, as the climate fluctuates more aggressively, we are going to be dealing with these hurdles all year long if we don’t make drastic changes quickly.

This is not just a matter of discomfort. Research has shown that extreme heat can impair cognitive function, leading to lower test scores and reduced learning outcomes. One Harvard study found that higher temperatures have acute and chronic impacts on student performance. Students who tested in hotter environments produced lower scores, leading to a 12% higher chance of failing the course. Outside of the classroom, athletics and other extracurriculars are canceled when outside temperatures or air quality reach a certain level. Just this week, our school suspended all outdoor activities due to the heat advisory in Washington, DC.

The infrastructure of educational facilities themselves is also at risk. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), many schools across the United States are aging and not designed to withstand the extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent. Flooding, hurricanes, and wildfires are causing significant wear and tear to schools, leading to closures and displacements that disrupt the school year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has documented an increase in the frequency and severity of such events, warning that without significant attention and investments in resilient infrastructure, schools will continue to be vulnerable. The Center for American Progress suggests additional considerations to the federal budget that specifically invest in school infrastructure, resources for educators and childcare facilities to alleviate some of these new challenges. 

Climate change is also amplifying existing educational inequities. Schools in low-income communities are often the most vulnerable, lacking the resources to adapt to rapidly changing environmental conditions. The Brookings Institution highlights how these schools are lesslikely to have proper air conditioning systems, modernized buildings, or emergency preparedness plans. As a result, students in these communities are disproportionately affected by the disruptions caused by climate change, further widening the achievement gap.

The evidence is clear. Climate change already profoundly impacts our schools, and the situation will only worsen if we do not take immediate action. Policymakers must prioritize the modernization of school infrastructure and invest in additional resources to ensure it can withstand the challenges posed by a changing climate. Our students deserve to learn in environments that are safe and conducive to learning.