PRESS RELEASES
Younger generations will likely be exposed to more climate extremes – Our Kids’ Climate reaction
The burden of the climate crisis will be felt more by younger generations than older generations, according to a paper published in science journal Nature today (7 May 2025).
The report suggests that about 52% of people born in 2020 – today’s five-year-olds – will experience unprecedented exposure to heatwaves alone under a 1.5 °C warming scenario, compared with 16% of those born in 1960.
If global temperatures rise by 3.5°C by 2100, 92% of children born in 2020 will experience unprecedented heatwave exposure over their lifetime, affecting 111 million children.
Reacting to the report Maya Mailer, co-director of Our Kids’ Climate said:
“This comprehensive, scientific study underlines the gravity of the climate crisis for all children living today, and those yet to be born. As a global network of parents and carers, we are already seeing the devastating impact of climate breakdown on the children we love. Air pollution, scorching heatwaves, and huge floods have affected too many families already. Families who are already vulnerable living in countries that have contributed the least to carbon pollution are facing the worst impacts.
“This report serves as yet another wake up call to political and business leaders, with the power to make a difference. It’s simply not fair that children are bearing the brunt of a climate crisis they did not cause. Our actions now will determine what type of world they will inherit. As parents, we are determined to give our kids a decent and safe future. Ahead of COP30 in Brazil, we urge leaders to end the world’s dangerous dependence on fossil fuels, and shift rapidly and fairly to renewable energy to protect what we love: our precious children.”
Read more about the research:
Will you live an unprecedented life?
Global emergence of unprecedented lifetime exposure to climate extremes | Nature
