Rising heat is causing students to underperform across the globe

As climate change drives temperatures higher, prolonged periods of heat exposure are doing more than just making classrooms uncomfortable. According to a new systematic review published in PLOS Climate , extended exposure to heat significantly impairs students’ cognitive abilities, affecting their academic performance, especially in complex subjects such as mathematics.

The study analyzed previous research encompassing nearly 14.5 million students across 61 countries. The findings show clear evidence that heat exposure over time is correlated to lower scores in math and other complex cognitive tasks among elementary, middle and high school students.

Even on days when temperatures were between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the data show that students can experience heat stress, follow