Climate change can have a major impact on health from the earliest moments of life. Before birth, extreme temperatures increase the risk of premature birth. In later years, heat can affect a child's ability to learn and increase the risk of mental disorders. Climate change is worsening air quality in a variety of ways – for example, by lengthening and intensifying allergy seasons and increasing the frequency of wildfires with massive clouds of smoke. And a number of factors increase the risk of climate-related environmental impacts on children's health, Perera says. In general, children spend more time outdoors and are more likely to be physically active when outdoors. Both of these can increase their exposure to high temperatures and air pollution. (NEHA PATHAK, YALE CLIMATE CONNECTIONS)