New research by Dr Konstantina Vasilakopoulou of RMIT and UNSW ADA’s Professor Mat Santamouris has revealed that prolonged exposure to urban heat significantly impairs students’ cognitive performance, with vulnerable and low-income populations disproportionately affected.
Published in PLOS Climate , the systematic review analysed data from nearly 14.5 million students across 61 countries. The findings show that long-term exposure to elevated temperatures, particularly in school environments, reduces students’ ability to learn and retain knowledge, with complex tasks such as mathematics more affected than simpler ones like reading. It also increases mental health risks and contributes to broader educational inequalities.
The impact of high temperatures on students’ academic performance is profoundly significant, influencing their educational, intellectual, and professional achievements.
“This research highlights a critical and under-recognised consequence of climate change,” said Professor Santamouris from UNSW’s School of Built Environment. “Heat stress doesn’t just impact physical health—it undermines educational equity and affects human potential.”
Key Findings
Adaptation measures and their effectiveness
The review also examined adaptation strategies, including air conditioning (which could offset 73% of heat-related cognitive loss), improved ventilation, and urban cooling technologies. While these measures can mitigate cognitive losses, access remains uneven—particularly in disadvantaged communities.
“Cooling technologies must be made accessible to all students, not just those in affluent areas,” said Professor Santamouris. “Otherwise, climate change will continue to widen educational and social gaps.”
Policy implications
The authors call for urgent policy action to integrate climate resilience into educational infrastructure planning. This includes prioritising heat mitigation in school design, expanding access to cooling technologies, and supporting further research into the cognitive impacts of environmental stressors.
“This is not just an environmental issue—it’s an educational and social justice issue,” said Dr Vasilakopoulou. “We must act now to protect the learning potential of future generations.”
PLOS Climate
Systematic review
People
Cumulative exposure to urban heat can affect the learning capacity of students and penalize the vulnerable and low-income young population: A systematic review
30-Jul-2025
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.