The critical connection between climate and child protection 

Evidence of a changing climate is everywhere—and children are paying the price.

2024 was officially the hottest year on record, with global temperatures surging 2.7°F above pre-industrial levels. More than 600 extreme weather events displaced more than 800,000 people and left 1.1 million injured. 

With more than one billion children living in countries facing severe climate hazards, it’s clear: Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a child protection crisis. 

Children are at a high-risk of suffering—or even dying—from extreme climate-related events such as water scarcity, air pollution, heat waves, cyclones, flooding and famine. 

Without urgent action, climate change won’t just alter our world—it will jeopardize children’s health, safety, education and futures. 

Climate change forces families from their homes 

Between 216 million and 1.2 billion people could be displaced by climate change by 2050. But for many, the time to decide to flee their homes or stay and put their family at risk is already here.  

In Africa, the number of people displaced by climate-related disasters—like floods and droughts—is six times higher than it was 15 years ago. And during these forced displacements, children are the most vulnerable.  

Without a safe place to call home, children face the life-threatening risks of labor and sex trafficking, family separation and malnutrition—experiences that have leave a lifelong mark on children’s physical, emotional and mental well-being. 

Extreme weather threatens children’s health 

Children’s developing immune systems leave them more susceptible to climate-related health threats like respiratory infections from pollution or heat strokes. 

And, as extreme weather worsens food and water shortages, children are at an increased risk of suffering from malnutrition. In 2024, it’s estimated that 36 million children were acutely malnourished, and climate change could plunge 24 million more children into malnutrition by 2050. 

Climate disasters disrupt education 

Education is a powerful tool for children to break cycles of poverty and achieve future success—but climate change is shutting down classrooms worldwide.  

In 2024 alone, climate disasters disrupted learning for at least 242 million children, but the climate impact on education extends beyond damaged buildings.  

Extreme weather events can worsen poverty and economic instability, forcing children to drop out of school and work to support their families, with girls at an even higher risk of losing their education. To alleviate a family’s financial hardship, girls are more likely to be forced to drop out of school and into early marriage or required to stay at home and care for siblings.  

Without the protection and opportunity of a safe place to learn, children’s present well-being and future success are threatened.  

Every child deserves a livable world 

Climate action is essential to ensure a safe, sustainable future for children and families worldwide.  

At SOS Children’s Villages, we integrate climate-conscious strategies into our programs, equipping children and families with the education and skills they need to adapt and prepare for climate change.  

This Earth Day, join us in protecting the most vulnerable children from the impacts of climate change and provide every child with the safe, loving, healthy childhood and bright future they deserve.