Help Kids Feel Less Anxious about Climate Change
There is a large disparity in how parents, teachers, and school curriculums approach climate change as an academic topic. Some communities have little or no exposure to climate, while others are on the front lines.
Not talking about climate change is far more anxiety-inducing than addressing it head-on. There is an elephant in the room, and kids want answers. They want to understand what is happening and how they can make a difference. Teachers are uniquely poised to offer hope through knowledge, understanding, dialog, and activism.
Here are some examples of ways teachers can help reduce eco-anxiety in the classroom and beyond.
1 - Don’t be shy – make climate science part of your classroom curriculum
Kids aren’t shy about asking straightforward questions like “Will polar bears become extinct? Or “Will there be enough food to eat in the future?” Or, “Will Maine be underwater?” As educators, numerous resources are available to explore and unpack those questions. Curriculum-based tools like NASA Climate Kids and project-based resources like GLOBE are available.
While many states mandate climate science education for K-12 classrooms, the level of commitment varies. See how your state stacks up to climate education.
2- Eco-anxiety is a real term
Acknowledge that the feelings students are experiencing are real. Begin by addressing fear, confusion, or anger about climate change. Create a safe space for students to share their feelings. "This is a big issue, and it's normal to be concerned" is a good starting point.
In fact, eco-anxiety is considered by some medical providers to be a natural – and healthy – reaction to ongoing and future climate changes. A recent worldwide study surveyed 10,000 young people about their feelings towards climate change. It found that nearly 60% of respondents were extremely worried, and 84% were moderately worried about climate change.
3- Empower Action and Reimagine the Future
Encouraging students to do something positive helps them transform anxiety into a positive drive. Projects focused on building a sustainable future increase confidence and optimism about their ability to effect real change. Examples might include:
Waste Audit & Reduction Plan: Conduct a waste audit in the classroom or cafeteria to identify what gets thrown away most often. Then, brainstorm ways to reduce that waste, such as composting food scraps or using reusable containers.
Schoolyard Habitat Project: Research native plants and create a small pollinator garden or wildlife habitat area on school grounds. It’s fun and empowering.
Energy-Saving Detectives: Become classroom energy monitors, turning off lights and electronics when not in use. Track energy usage over time and see if the class can reduce consumption.
4 - Get Creative
Art projects that combine learning about climate science and artistic expression are calming outlets for eco-anxiety. Students can create posters promoting sustainability or murals depicting a hopeful future. The storytelling nature and role-playing prompts in the Earth Matters board game gives students a chance to learn about climate change playfully.
Earth Matters board game developer Lori McDonald has a background in education and is a huge fan of the outdoors. “My goal in designing a game about climate change is to take something really dense, academic, and anxiety-inducing and give young people hope and understanding through experiential play,” says McDonald.
Turn your classroom into an empowering space where students can take a more climate-conscious approach to their future.