Talking to Children About Climate Change: A Necessary Conversation

Empowering Young Minds to Face Climate Change with Hope

For many years, educators and parents often hesitated to discuss climate change with children. The overwhelming nature of the topic and fear of causing anxiety seemed reason enough to avoid it. But that is beginning to change, and it’s becoming clear that avoiding the conversation has done more harm than good. Parents are now being urged to engage with their children on the subject, helping them understand that their fears are normal and valid. As young people become increasingly aware of the climate crisis, they need the emotional tools to cope. The story of Olivia Vesovich, a climate activist from Montana, highlights the importance of addressing these fears head-on.

The Power of Youth Activism

At just 16, Vesovich became a national figure when she joined the lawsuit Held v. Montana, representing young people demanding that their state government take more responsibility for climate action. Her involvement was not just an act of political defiance; it was a personal response to her own struggles with climate anxiety. Vesovich, who testified in court about her climate despair, described how she felt paralyzed by guilt, afraid to consume anything because of the harm it might cause to the planet. This guilt extended even to basic necessities like food and water.

Vesovich’s experience reflects a growing issue among young people who are grappling with feelings of uncertainty and helplessness in the face of climate change. According to therapists, children today face what some call “moral injury” – the realization that the institutions they trusted to protect them are instead contributing to the harm. This realization has been compared to child abuse in its psychological impact.

Supporting Children Through Empowerment

For decades, climate education was delivered with little attention to emotional support, leaving children to process the frightening information on their own. However, the tide is turning. New curriculums are being developed to fill the gaps, and educators are now working with parents to foster more supportive conversations about climate change. According to psychiatrist Lise van Susteren, the goal is to help children feel empowered rather than defeated. By involving them in the fight for climate action, children can feel like they are making a difference instead of facing an inevitable loss.

Harry Waters, an educator who has integrated climate change discussions into his English curriculum, is one of the many working to bridge the gap between climate education and emotional resilience. He created Renewable English, a program that teaches English learners about climate action while addressing the emotional toll of the crisis. Waters recalls a student from Sevilla who, after being consumed by climate doom scrolling, became despondent. He worked with her to find purpose through activism, helping her organize a campaign to raise funds for solar panels at her school. It was a small action, but it gave her a sense of purpose and hope.

The Emotional Impact of Climate Change on Children

Programs like these, along with guidance from climate mental health experts like Sarah Newman, are helping parents navigate the tough conversations about climate change. Newman’s organization, Climate Mental Health Network, has created resources that help parents tailor climate discussions to their child’s age, personality, and circumstances. These resources emphasize the importance of listening to children, learning for themselves, and leveraging the conversation into meaningful action. It’s about striking a balance between being honest about the gravity of the situation and offering hope.

The psychological toll of climate change on children is real and far-reaching. Caroline Hickman, a psychotherapist who has spent years studying the impact of climate change on children’s mental health, compares it to an adverse childhood event that can shape an entire generation. A study Hickman conducted found that fear and sadness were the most common emotions young people associated with climate change. Even in places that have yet to experience the worst effects of climate change, children are already imagining a future of uncertainty, questioning whether they will have a world to live in.

Creating a Positive Path Forward

For parents and educators, the message is clear: keep talking about climate change. As daunting as these conversations may be, they are essential. By fostering open communication, parents can create a sense of connection with their children that strengthens emotional resilience. It’s not about having perfect answers; it’s about being willing to engage with children’s fears and helping them find ways to take action.

As for Olivia Vesovich, she is now a college student studying to become a high school teacher. Having struggled with climate anxiety herself, she is determined to help the next generation navigate their own fears. For her, the answer lies in activism. “It is my medicine,” she says, “and I think it is this earth’s medicine.” Through her work, she hopes to inspire young people to take action and realize that even in the face of climate change, there is still hope.