In the last two weeks, three important things have happened regarding the future of our kids.
And this week, we have the chance to do something about it.
First: Climate Anxiety in Kids is Linked to Government Inaction
An important study dropped last week that unearths how young people are feeling about their future.
The study surveyed 10,000 young people (ages 16–25) from 10 countries and found that:
59% are “very or extremely worried” about climate change,
75% believe “the future is frightening,”
45% say climate anxiety and distress is affecting their daily lives and functioning,
58% said governments are “betraying me and/or future generations,” and
64% said their governments are not doing enough to avoid a climate catastrophe.
For parents wondering what can be done, those last two points are worth reading again. The survey shows a distinct correlation between climate anxiety and inadequate government response.
In other words, when government inaction is worse, so is climate anxiety among our kids.
Caroline Hickman, from the University of Bath, was one of the co-authors of the study. She had this to say:
“This study paints a horrific picture of widespread climate anxiety in our children and young people. It suggests for the first time that high levels of psychological distress in youth is linked to government inaction. Our children’s anxiety is a completely rational reaction given the inadequate responses to climate change they are seeing from governments. What more do governments need to hear to take action?”
Second: Today’s Kids Will Face Three Times as Many Climate Disasters as Their Grandparents
According to a study released in Science yesterday, if the planet continues to warm at its current pace, the average 6-year-old will face roughly three times as many climate disasters as their grandparents. We’re talking twice as many wildfires, 1.7 times as many tropical cyclones, 3.4 times more river floods, 2.5 times more crop failures, and 2.3 times as many droughts (compared to someone born in 1960). The study’s lead author Wim Thiery calls it the “intergenerational inequality” of climate change, but last Friday, young people were using much harsher language.
Third: The Kids Are Back in the Streets
Last Friday, young people led over 1,500 demonstrations worldwide as part of the latest Fridays for Future climate strike.
The young protestors carried signs that said “Planet Over Politics,” “Stop Funding Climate Death,” “Our House is on Fire,” “You’ll Die of Old Age. We’ll Die of Climate Change,” and “The Whole Damn System is Wrong.”
Protestors don’t believe any government is doing close to enough, that we’re running out of time to fix it, and that their futures are in real danger.
And they’re right, of course — how often it is that kids see clearly through the issues that we adults make so complicated. When I talk to young people about climate, I usually find they have no patience for excuses, false solutions, or baseless promises. And they deeply feel the betrayal of governments and older generations.
So, what can we do for them?
What Can Parents Do?
Tell the Truth, Share Hope, and Teach Emotional Intelligence…
As my wise friend Harriet Shugarman, founder of ClimateMama and author of How to Talk to Your Kids About Climate Change, says about how we must lead our children:
“Tell the truth, actions speak louder than words, and don't be afraid.”
It is critically important that we not avoid this topic with our children — fear and shame grow in darkness, and we can shine light just by having honest family conversations about the reality of the climate crisis AND about everything that is being done to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate.
Of course, we should deliver the truth in age appropriate ways — I’m not currently telling my 3-year-old that we need to collectively halve global emissions by 2030, but I am teaching her to love nature as an extension of herself and to understand that we have a responsibility to care for the planet the same as we care for each other.
It’s also important that we tell stories that inspire hope – stories about those young protestors, the brilliant scientists, the passionate leaders, and so many others who are choosing action over apathy.
Finally, we must arm our children with the emotional and psychological tools to handle anxiety, grief, and the other heavy – so heavy – feelings that accompany awareness. Even if we, as a society, do all that we can, the planet’s baked-in warming will undoubtedly still lead to species loss, environmental destruction, and human suffering. But we can give our children the tools to navigate guilt, loss, grief, and fear. And by raising more emotionally intelligent kids, we’ll be making the world better in myriad other ways as well.
Of course, if the kids in your life might be experiencing climate anxiety or depression, seek the help of a qualified professional. You can also check out the list of resources at the end of this post.
…and Take Action Together
If there’s one lesson in parenthood that has defined 2021 for me so far, it’s the power of modeling. In my case, it definitely means my 3-year-old has picked up some salty language and a shocking capacity for stubbornness – but as I’ve learned its power, modeling has also taught her to pitch in around the house, help make dinner, create art with abandon, and take time to be alone when she needs it.
Inviting our kids to take action with us as we live our values and push our leaders to do what’s right is modeling at it’s best — we’re not only leading by example, but inviting kids to have agency, hope, and opportunities in the fight against the climate crisis.
If You Only Do One Thing, Do This
This week offers us a really important opportunity to act. In fact, I’m going to go as far as to say that if you’re only going to do one thing this year to take climate action, then this should be it.
You see, the House of Representatives votes this Thursday on something called the Build Back Better plan. It currently contains the most comprehensive set of climate provisions ever set before Congress, including programs that would create millions of jobs, provide tax credits for electric vehicles and clean energy use, prioritize funding for the communities most impacted by the climate crisis, create both carrots and sticks for the widespread deployment of cheap renewable energy, and so much more. There are protections for everyday rate payers and workers, and penalties for fossil fuel corporations that cheat the system.
And it might be our last, best chance at real federal climate action.
I’m not exaggerating the stakes here — if this package passes the House and then the Senate with these measures intact, it will drastically accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy and a future where our children can thrive.
If you’re comfortable doing it, tell them about your family, and why you want them to take the climate crisis seriously. Or keep it short – simply tell them that you, as a constituent, expect them to include robust climate action in the Build Back Better plan and then thank them for their support.
Whether or not you’ve ever made a call to one of your elected officials, now is the time to pick up the phone. It’s probably a lot easier than you think, and congress members really do keep track of the calls they get on the issues.
Make the call today. And from both myself and my daughter Adelaide – thank you.
Best,
Jessica
TL;DR
Our kids are stressed out by climate change and government inaction is making it worse, plus they’re going to experience three times as many climate disasters as their grandparents. They’re taking to the streets (again!) to demand change, and we can help by open and honest, sharing stories of hope, supporting their emotional resilience, and taking action alongside them. This week, especially, we can take action by calling our representatives and demanding a robust Build Back Better climate plan.
Hopey Changey News
Last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping announce that China would stop building coal-fired power plants overseas. As they were behind about 70% of global new coal projects, this is a huge deal, and very good news. At the same UN General Assembly meeting where that announcement was made, Biden didn’t want to be upstaged – he pledged to boost climate funding for developing nations to combat and adapt to climate change, bumping US support up from $2 billion to $11.4 billion annually. This could help a great deal at the upcoming climate talks in Glasgow.
Climate Anxiety and Family-Focused Resources
Here’s a selection of sources and organizations which are focused on helping address climate anxiety or on helping families process the crisis. I’ve limited the list to those sources that I personally have used, read, or researched, though there are more and more every day. If your child or children are coping with heavy feelings related to climate change, please do consult a qualified professional.
Harriet Shugarman and How to Talk to Your Kids About Climate Change
“Talk to children about the climate crisis” – a resource from Our Kids’ Climate
“Beginning the Climate Conversation: A Family’s Guide” – a resource from The Climate Reality Project
Elizabeth Bechard and Parenting in a Changing Climate (I haven’t read this one yet, but it looks great and I look forward to diving in soon!)