The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) released a report on March 24 warning that nearly every child worldwide is now exposed to at least one climate hazard. The situation is expected to worsen unless greenhouse gas emissions are urgently reduced.
The report shows that climate hazards such as extreme heat, drought, floods, and wildfires are endangering children on multiple fronts. Specifically, nearly half of all children globally – around 1.8 billion – are living in conditions that expose them to three or more climate hazards simultaneously, directly impacting their health, education, and ability to survive.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stated: “Children’s lives are being disrupted by the impact of heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and floods. Half the world’s children now live with at least three overlapping climate threats, shaping their daily lives.”
According to UNICEF data, 1.8 billion children currently face risks from drought, while 1.2 billion suffer from extreme heat as a warming climate disrupts the Earth's water cycle. Notably, last month, countries in Western Europe experienced a record heatwave, with temperatures exceeding levels typically seen only in summer.
The report also notes that nearly every child worldwide is exposed to air pollution, while one billion children are at risk of contracting malaria. UNICEF highlighted the situation while urging governments and business leaders to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
Scientists have long warned that global warming must be limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Nearly 200 countries signed the 2015 Paris Agreement with this goal in mind. However, experts repeatedly caution that this target is difficult to achieve. In January 2026, the United States formally withdrew from the Paris Agreement for the second time, following an executive order by President Donald Trump.
