HELSINKI, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Human-caused climate change is exposing about 560 million children worldwide to at least an extra month of dangerous heat each year, with younger generations bearing a disproportionate share of the impact, the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) said on Thursday.
The study, led by Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) with contributions from UEF researchers, found that about 43 percent of children aged 9 and under now experience at least 30 additional days of heat stress each year because of climate change.
That compares with about 190 million people aged 60 to 69 facing the same increase in heat exposure, according to the study, published in the journal Science Advances.
The research focuses on humid heat, which is particularly dangerous because high humidity reduces the body's ability to cool itself through sweating.
Children are especially vulnerable because their bodies heat up faster than those of adults and are less efficient at regulating temperature. Severe heat can cause dehydration and heatstroke, while prolonged exposure can also affect learning and cognitive development, the researchers said.
"The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent and severe. Our research shows that children and future generations are particularly exposed to these impacts, and that the harms they face will intensify unless action is taken," said Annalisa Savaresi, a professor at UEF and a co-author of the study.
The largest climate-driven increases in humid heat are occurring in tropical regions and poorer countries, where populations tend to be younger and more children are therefore exposed. South Asia, Southeast Asia and West Africa currently have particularly high numbers of children exposed to dangerous heat stress, the researchers said.
"Children in developing countries face disproportionate exposure to climate extremes now and into the future, despite contributing the least to historical greenhouse gas emissions," said Rosa Pietroiusti, lead author of the study and a PhD researcher at VUB.
The researchers called for sharp cuts in fossil fuel emissions to limit global warming in line with the Paris Agreement, as well as increased climate finance for developing countries.
