Different regions and states in Brazil have faced strong heat waves in the month of February, with temperatures reaching up to 43 degrees Celsius (°C) in Rio de Janeiro (RJ). According to the National Meteorological Institute (Inmet), over 44 Brazilian cities recorded temperatures over 30°C on February 16th. 

Extreme heat may lead to dehydration, fatigue, dizziness, and respiratory problems because of heat exhaustion. This scenario is also a concern for students. In classrooms with many students and no climate control, heat can directly impact learning. 

Various schools in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have canceled or changed class times due to the heat. In Rio de Janeiro, the government has authorized public schools with no air conditioning to decrease classroom time by up to 50%. According to the Department of Education of the state of Rio de Janeiro, 200 of its 1,234 schools do not have air conditioning. 

Learning at Stake

According to a study by economist Jisung Park,published in 2017 by Harvard University’s economics department, very hot days can lower learning capacity by up to 15%, especially when temperatures exceed 30°C. To study this issue, high temperature school days in a New York public school were evaluated. In another more recent study, the author points out that in countries like Brazil, which are naturally hotter, this impact can last in the long term. 

As thermometers rise, oxygen saturation in the blood (the amount of this element that blood carries through the body) decreases, thus leaving students more stressed out and tired. 

Climate Change Impacts Students Worldwide

A survey released on January 24th by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), an agency of the United Nations (UN), revealed that 242 million students in 85 countries have had their study routine altered, or have stopped going to school due to climate change. The report also points out that heat was the main reason for dropping out of school. 

Sources: G1, CNN, Agência Brasil, UOL, Harvard, O Globo, Unicef and the National Institute of Meteorology. 

Glossary:

Climate control: management of temperatures in an enclosed environment using resources such as fans, humidifiers, or air conditioning. 

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