Climate change poses a significant threat to young children in Nigeria, particularly due to extreme heat and increasingly severe floods. Rising temperatures and extreme weather primarily driven by climate change exacerbate the already limited access to safe drinking water, intensifying the risks to children's health and well-being. Young children are also more susceptible to respiratory problems and other heat-related illnesses because their bodies generate more heat relative to their size and they sweat less efficiently.1 High temperatures lead to severe dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, which can be life-threatening if not addressed promptly. Overheated classrooms can impair concentration and cognitive function, which in turn impedes learning. The psychological impact of extreme heat includes increased stress and anxiety, which could potentially slow brain development during this most critical developmental window.
ECD AND CLIMATE CHANGE WEBINAR
Join AfECN and partners as we spotlight the intersection of climate change and early childhood development, sharing country findings, lessons, and advocacy entry points to strengthen action for Africa’s youngest.
Date: Wednesday, 24th September 2025
Time: 15:00
Duration: 1hr30Min
Blog 2 | The Silent Crisis: How Climate Change is Threatening Early Childhood Development in Ethiopia by Nebyat Ayele Assefa
Climate change is undermining decades of progress in Ethiopia’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) initiatives. The country is experiencing more frequent droughts, erratic rainfall, and floods, which in turn are exacerbating child malnutrition, increasing the disease burden, disrupting education, and causing psychosocial trauma among young children. This convergence of climate and child development crises represents a national emergency for Ethiopia. Young children (ages 0-5) make up a significant portion of Ethiopia’s population – roughly 13 to 14 million children – and their well-being is inextricably linked to the nation’s future social and economic development. If climate change continues to impair the health and growth of these children, Ethiopia’s aspirations for middle-income status and sustainable development will be gravely threatened. This blog analyzes Ethiopian-specific data on climate change impacts to ECD, reviews current government responses, and outlines recommendations for integrated policies to safeguard the next generation.
Blog 1 | Africa Focus: Setting the Scene – Leaving the Youngest Behind in Early Childhood and Climate Change Governance in Sub-Saharan Africa by Dr. Rongedzayi Fambasayi
Early Childhood Development and Climate Change in Africa: A Call to Action
The Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Climate Change Community of Practice is a subcommittee of the Access to Quality Services Working Group under the African Union Early Childhood Education and Development (ECED) Cluster. In response to the growing number of climate-related disasters affecting families with young children across the continent, the Community of Practice has launched a Climate Change Blog Series. This three-part series aims to share knowledge, amplify diverse voices, and highlight real-world solutions from Africa. As Climate Change intensifies, its most severe impacts are falling on those least responsible and least prepared—young children. The blogs not only shed light on the critical, yet often overlooked, link between Early Childhood Development and Climate Change governance in Africa but also showcase promising responses and initiatives from various regions.
These three blogs feature insights from leading experts and practitioners working across diverse country contexts. Covering a range of perspectives—from policy to community-level action—they unpack the risks that Climate Change poses to young children, highlight systemic gaps, and propose practical, child-centered solutions. Together, they call on all stakeholders to step up advocacy and action toward a more just and resilient future for Africa’s youngest generation.
What to Expect
Blog 1 | Africa Focus: Setting the Scene – Leaving the Youngest Behind in Early Childhood and Climate Change Governance in Sub-Saharan Africa by Dr. Rongedzayi Fambasayi
This introductory blog explores the siloed nature of ECD and climate policy across sub-Saharan Africa. It highlights the urgency of integrating early childhood priorities into climate action and calls for targeted financing and systemic reform to protect the continent’s youngest citizens.
Blog 2 | The Silent Crisis: How Climate Change is Threatening Early Childhood Development in Ethiopia by Nebyat Ayele Assefa
An in-depth look at how climate shocks are undermining Early Childhood services in Ethiopia—and how local actors are stepping up to protect children’s development.
Blog 3| Mitigating the Effects of Extreme Heat on ECDE Centers in Crisis-Affected Northeast Nigeria by Katelin Wilton, Daniel Rotgakka, and Fatima Abdulahi
This blog showcases innovations to address extreme heat in early childhood centres in fragile contexts—centering the voices of local educators and families.
Acknowledgment
This blog series has been made possible through the generous support of the Bainum Family Foundation. We gratefully acknowledge their contribution to enabling this important work. The series also contributes to the knowledge-sharing efforts of the Access to Quality Services Working Group under the African Union ECED Cluster, with a focus on enhancing awareness of the intersection between ECD and Climate Change.
Why This Series Matters
If Africa is to build a truly resilient and inclusive future, it must begin by protecting those most vulnerable to climate shocks—young children in their earliest, most formative years. Through bold policy shifts, targeted financing, and grassroots innovations, we can reimagine climate governance that nurtures not just the environment, but the human potential within it.
Stay tuned as we spotlight best practices, challenges, and Calls to Action for child-centered climate solutions.
Please note: The content presented in this series is not owned by AfECN. It reflects the perspectives and insights of the original authors and contributors.
Read our first blog now: Link
ACTION NEEDED TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN NOW & FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS
Globally, almost every child on earth (99%) is exposed to at least one major climate and environmental hazards, shocks, and stress. Africa, despite its low contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, remains the most vulnerable continent to climate change. Indeed, seven of the 10 countries that are most vulnerable to climate change are in Africa exposing close to 490 million children in 35 African countries to highest risk of suffering the impact of climate change. As a build up to the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 27) to the UNFCCC that will take place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, read more about the actions needed to protect the environment for young children now and for the future generation. read more…