The climate crisis is damaging the health of fetuses, babies, and infants across the world, six new studies have found.

Scientists discovered increased heat was linked to fast weight gain in babies, which increases the risk of obesity in later life. Higher temperatures were also linked to premature birth, which can have lifelong health effects, and to increased hospital admissions of young children.

Other studies found exposure to smoke from wildfires doubled the risk of severe birth defects, while reduced fertility was linked to air pollution from fossil fuel burning, even at low levels. The studies, published in a special issue of the journal Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, spanned the globe from the United States to Denmark, Israel, and Australia.

“From the very beginning, from preconception, through early childhood into adolescence, we’re starting to see important impacts of climate hazards on health,” said Gregory Wellenius, who edited the issue with Amelia Wesselink, both professors at the Boston University School of Public Health.

“This is a problem that affects everybody, everywhere. These extreme […]