Extreme heat in Brazil is severely impacting education, particularly in Belém, where temperatures reached record highs. A study highlighted that many schools are situated in heat-producing areas, disproportionately affecting Black students and those in disadvantaged communities. Proactive measures, including air conditioning and green infrastructure, are being explored to mitigate these adverse effects.
In 2024, the city of Belém experienced extreme heat on 212 days, inflicting discomfort upon students, including 15-year-old João Victor da Costa da Silva. Consequently, students could not concentrate during lessons due to high temperatures, which on average were 5°C above normal. Such adverse conditions have a significant impact on the quality of education, with many schools located in areas experiencing dangerously high temperatures.
A study by the Alana Institute and Fiquem Sabendo indicates that 64% of schools in key Brazilian cities are situated in regions where temperatures exceed the urban average by at least 1°C. Notably, schools with predominantly Black student populations are more likely to be located in these heat islands, underscoring the issue of environmental racism. The study also highlights the connection between climate factors and social disparities, with nearly 370,000 students enrolled in schools near slums and vulnerable areas.
The North and Northeast regions of Brazil face higher concentrations of schools situated in heat vulnerable zones, with Manaus reporting that approximately 77.7% of schools are located in areas above the city’s average temperature. Other cities with high figures include Macapá and Boa Vista, with substantial portions of schools experiencing surface temperatures significantly exceeding urban averages.
The impact of elevated temperatures on education, as highlighted by research from the World Bank, indicates that each day of extreme heat can diminish learning outcomes. Specifically, a 1°C rise in temperature correlates to a 10% reduction in learning over the school year. Thus, schools in hotter regions struggle to maintain educational quality, disproportionately affecting poorer students lacking resources such as air conditioning.
In addressing these challenges, states like Piauí are taking proactive measures to equip schools with air conditioning, while emphasizing the need for infrastructural changes to mitigate heat effects. Nature-based solutions such as green spaces around schools have proven effective in lowering temperatures and improving air quality, illustrating an innovative approach to dealing with climate impacts on education.
Notable civil society initiatives include environmental projects aimed at creating green spaces in urban settings, which help lower local temperatures significantly. Such efforts underline the pressing nature of climate adaptation strategies that must be implemented to protect educational environments. Ignoring these issues directly jeopardizes students’ educational attainment and future opportunities.
Educational professionals, including those from UNICEF, are increasingly recognizing that climate change exacerbates difficulties access to education, particularly for vulnerable populations. Urgent action is required to ensure that climate adaptation becomes integral to educational infrastructure planning. Failure to adapt could lead to long-lasting adverse effects on the younger generation, who are already facing a multitude of global challenges.
In summary, Brazil’s rising temperatures pose significant threats to education, particularly in vulnerable regions. The correlation between heat exposure and diminished learning outcomes necessitates urgent intervention strategies, such as enhancing school infrastructure and implementing nature-based solutions. Addressing these challenges is critical to ensuring equitable educational opportunities for all students, particularly those in at-risk communities.
Original Source: valorinternational.globo.com
