{"id":22360,"date":"2025-10-27T17:46:53","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T17:46:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/?p=22360"},"modified":"2025-10-27T17:46:53","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T17:46:53","slug":"supporting-children-youth-face-climate-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/supporting-children-youth-face-climate-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Supporting children and youth in the face of climate change"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_79_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #121c4e;color:#121c4e\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #121c4e;color:#121c4e\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/supporting-children-youth-face-climate-change\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/supporting-children-youth-face-climate-change\/#Climate_change_impacts_the_lives_and_futures_of_todays_youth\" >Climate change impacts the lives and futures of today\u2019s youth<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/supporting-children-youth-face-climate-change\/#Psychological_impacts_of_climate_change\" >Psychological impacts of climate change<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/supporting-children-youth-face-climate-change\/#Talking_with_young_people_about_climate_change\" >Talking with young people about climate change<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/supporting-children-youth-face-climate-change\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Today\u2019s children and adolescents will be exposed to more extreme weather events across their lifetime than previous generations.<\/li>\n<li>When thinking about climate change, most young people experience negative emotions, such as worry, sadness, powerlessness, or anger.<\/li>\n<li>Some young people experience mental health problems that are caused or worsened by climate change, especially anxiety disorders, depression, or post-traumatic stress.<\/li>\n<li>Caregivers, as trusted sources, can play a crucial role in countering misinformation and ensuring that their children have access to honest and reliable information on climate change and its solutions.<\/li>\n<li>Caregivers can help their children cope and engage with climate change by conveying agency and hope, rather than \u201cdoom and gloom\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW221559560 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-CA\" xml:lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW221559560 BCX0\">This blog post is b<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW221559560 BCX0\">ased on research originally published in <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW221559560 BCX0\">Thomaes<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW221559560 BCX0\">, S. (2025)<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW221559560 BCX0\">,<\/span> <\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW221559560 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/01650254251317141\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW221559560 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-CA\" xml:lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW221559560 BCX0\">Climate change and youth development: A view of an emerging field<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW221559560 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-CA\" xml:lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW221559560 BCX0\">. International Journal of Behavioral Development<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Climate_change_impacts_the_lives_and_futures_of_todays_youth\"><\/span><strong>Climate change impacts the lives and futures of today\u2019s youth<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Due to our changing climate, today\u2019s children and adolescents <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41586-025-08907-1.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">are set to live lives shaped by unprecedented environmental<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> challenges. They will suffer more extreme heat waves, droughts, wildfires, floods, and other climate impacts than their parents\u2019 and grandparents\u2019 generations did.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unicef.org\/reports\/climate-crisis-child-rights-crisis\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">United Nations International Children&#8217;s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> predicted in 2021 that practically all children would experience at least one of those types of <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">climate impacts<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> in their lifetimes. UNICEF further estimated that one billion children, nearly half of the world\u2019s population of children, would grow up in countries (mainly developing countries) <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/climate-change-children\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">where they face extremely high risk from the changing climate<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Not only are these children at risk of being exposed to multiple climate impacts as they develop, but they are also vulnerable to such impacts because of uncertain access to services, such as health care and clean water, in times of crisis.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22362\" style=\"width: 2570px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22362\" class=\"size-full wp-image-22362\" src=\"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-ahmed-akacha-3313934-10629415-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-ahmed-akacha-3313934-10629415-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-ahmed-akacha-3313934-10629415-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-ahmed-akacha-3313934-10629415-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-ahmed-akacha-3313934-10629415-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-ahmed-akacha-3313934-10629415-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-ahmed-akacha-3313934-10629415-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-ahmed-akacha-3313934-10629415-356x237.jpg 356w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-ahmed-akacha-3313934-10629415-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-ahmed-akacha-3313934-10629415-50x33.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22362\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/kids-standing-in-mud-10629415\/\">Ahmed akacha<\/a> on Pexels<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW223338425 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-CA\" xml:lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW223338425 BCX0\">Clearly, <\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW223338425 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/climate-change-children\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW223338425 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-CA\" xml:lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW223338425 BCX0\">climate change poses a major public health challenge for youth<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW223338425 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-CA\" xml:lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW223338425 BCX0\"> around the world. In a recent <\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW223338425 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/01650254251317141\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW223338425 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-CA\" xml:lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW223338425 BCX0\">article<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW223338425 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-CA\" xml:lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW223338425 BCX0\">, I reviewed emerging scientific <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW223338425 BCX0\">evidence<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW223338425 BCX0\">of how climate change shapes young people\u2019s psychological development and well-being<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW223338425 BCX0\">,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW223338425 BCX0\"> and the implications <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW223338425 BCX0\">of those findings <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW223338425 BCX0\">for caregivers.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW223338425 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Psychological_impacts_of_climate_change\"><\/span><strong>Psychological impacts of climate change<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Climate change affects the psychological well-being and mental health of young people. In a comprehensive <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelancet.com\/journals\/lanplh\/article\/PIIS2542-5196(21)00278-3\/fulltext?ref=gerardmazza.com\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">survey study<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> on the impact of climate change, researchers studied 10,000 16- to 25-year-olds living in a diverse array of environments across 10 countries and six continents. Nearly 85% of youth said they were at least \u201cmoderately\u201d (if not \u201cvery\u201d or \u201cextremely\u201d) worried about climate change.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Some 45% of the young people said their concerns about climate change had interfered with their daily lives and functioning, and many held pessimistic beliefs about the future.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Youth in the study also reported feeling sadness, anger, and powerlessness about climate change. Some 45% of the young people said their concerns about climate change had interfered with their daily lives and functioning, and many held pessimistic beliefs about the future (e.g., 75% said they thought the future was frightening).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Climate change and youth&#8217;s mental health<\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Such responses to the reality of climate change are understandable and rational. At the same time, while we do not know the exact numbers, some percentage of youth experience mental health problems that are caused or worsened by climate change<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">problems such as disturbed sleep, obsessive thinking, anxiety disorders, depression, or post-traumatic stress.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Climate change may contribute to such disturbances in youth\u2019s mental health in at least three ways:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Direct effects<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> occur when young people personally experience extreme weather-related events<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">such as storms or floods<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">that are disturbing or poignant.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Indirect effects<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> occur when societal consequences of climate change<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">such as forced displacement or famine<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 affect<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> youth.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Vicarious effects<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> occur when climate change triggers youth\u2019s feelings of <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">existential threat<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the sense that the future is uncertain or grim.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Talking_with_young_people_about_climate_change\"><\/span><strong>Talking with young people about climate change<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>What can caregivers do to help young people cope with these stresses, navigate the realities of climate change, and protect their mental health while preparing for a challenging future?<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Fostering youth\u2019s open but critical consumption of <\/strong><strong>information about\u00a0<\/strong><strong>climate change\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is important for caregivers (along with teachers and other professionals working with youth) to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/developingchild.harvard.edu\/resources\/report\/connecting-early-childhood-development-to-climate-change\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">raise awareness of climate change <\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/developingchild.harvard.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Harvard-Kids-and-Climate-Long-Report_V6.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">help young people obtain reliable and honest information on climate change and<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> ways to address it<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This is especially important since young people are at risk of being exposed to misinformation (e.g., claims that nothing can be done to mitigate climate catastrophe, that climate change is a hoax, or that its impacts are exaggerated), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s40124-024-00331-9\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">especially on social media<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. For some youth, such misinformation can contribute to disruptively high anxiety; for others, it can encourage skepticism about the severity of threats from climate change.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22363\" style=\"width: 2570px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22363\" class=\"size-full wp-image-22363\" src=\"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-artempodrez-6990603-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-artempodrez-6990603-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-artempodrez-6990603-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-artempodrez-6990603-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-artempodrez-6990603-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-artempodrez-6990603-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-artempodrez-6990603-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-artempodrez-6990603-356x200.jpg 356w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-artempodrez-6990603-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-artempodrez-6990603-50x28.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22363\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/man-person-art-construction-6990603\/\">Artem Podrez<\/a> on Pexels<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW123637650 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-CA\" xml:lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW123637650 BCX0\">C<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW123637650 BCX0\">aregivers can <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW123637650 BCX0\">also <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW123637650 BCX0\">help children interpret and contextualize extreme weather events. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW123637650 BCX0\">For<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW123637650 BCX0\"> example, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW123637650 BCX0\">they<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW123637650 BCX0\">could explain that it is often hard to be sure if single extreme weather events (<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW123637650 BCX0\">e.g.,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW123637650 BCX0\"> the heavy rains that led to the flash floods in Texas <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW123637650 BCX0\">in the<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW123637650 BCX0\"> summer<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW123637650 BCX0\"> of 2025<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW123637650 BCX0\">) are caused by climate change, but that we do know that climate change makes such heavy rains increasingly common and that globally, floods <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW123637650 BCX0\">kill <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW123637650 BCX0\">thousands of people and cause millions to flee each year.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW123637650 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><em>Using facts to foster hope<\/em><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is particularly challenging for caregivers (and all of us) to communicate about climate change in a way that empowers children, rather than numbing or paralyzing them. Intuitively, adults may be inclined to emphasize the climate catastrophes that will occur if we fail to take action now, which may inadvertently fuel a sense of doom and gloom in children.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Although such messages may be factually correct, they likely are ineffective in helping young people cope and supporting their engagement in actions to reduce climate impacts. To achieve that goal, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jama-health-forum\/fullarticle\/2809753\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">research<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> suggests, caregivers need to talk to children in way that allows them to experience a sense of agency or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/building-foundation-of-constructive-hope-for-climate-change\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">hope<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Caregivers could emphasize that it is still possible to slow climate change with collective, collaborative action. <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hopeful messages about climate can and should be based on scientific facts and realistic analysis rather than being overly na\u00efve or utopian. For example, caregivers could emphasize that it is still possible to slow climate change with collective, collaborative action. They could point out that there is reason for optimism because we know exactly what is needed to help address the effects of climate change<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: For example, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">reducing global greenhouse gas emissions will be hard, but at least we know what to do.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><em>Leveraging benefits of environmental activism and alignment with youth values<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Young people are not responsible for climate change, nor can they be responsible for solving the problems associated with climate change. Still, many young people, especially adolescents, are driven to do what they can do to contribute to mitigating climate change.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Through activism, young people can find like-minded peers and work collaboratively toward a meaningful goal. Such engagement can counter feelings of hopelessness or powerlessness, providing individual health benefits as well as broader environmental and social benefits.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Caregivers can foster such engagement in young people by tapping into personal values and preferences and typical youth tendencies. As caregivers of teenagers know all too well, most youth prefer thinking for themselves and creating their own solutions rather than being told what to do. Encouraging young people by gently offering resources and allowing room for self-direction can be effective.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22361\" style=\"width: 1712px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22361\" class=\"wp-image-22361 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-lara-jameson-8898660-scaled-e1758235260246.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1702\" height=\"955\" srcset=\"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-lara-jameson-8898660-scaled-e1758235260246.jpg 1702w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-lara-jameson-8898660-scaled-e1758235260246-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-lara-jameson-8898660-scaled-e1758235260246-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-lara-jameson-8898660-scaled-e1758235260246-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-lara-jameson-8898660-scaled-e1758235260246-1536x862.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-lara-jameson-8898660-scaled-e1758235260246-356x200.jpg 356w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-lara-jameson-8898660-scaled-e1758235260246-700x393.jpg 700w, https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-lara-jameson-8898660-scaled-e1758235260246-50x28.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1702px) 100vw, 1702px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22361\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/protester-holding-a-placard-8898660\/\">Lara Jameson<\/a> on Pexels<\/p><\/div>\n<h4>Focusing on the personal benefits of climate responsible behaviors<\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Caregivers can also point out that while protecting the climate can sometimes be costly (e.g., giving up a habit of buying affordable, trendy clothes from a fast fashion brand), it can have personal benefits. For example, caregivers can focus on conveying how climate-responsible behaviors are aligned with young people\u2019s personal values and priorities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Most adolescents care about establishing autonomy and being respected by their peers. Accordingly, an engaging message for them is that climate protection is for independent-minded people who are mature enough to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/children-climate-change-anxiety-positive-action\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">stand up for what they believe in<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, challenge authorities that fail to take action, or act on the concerns of young generations.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Today\u2019s children and adolescents are coming of age in a world that is threatened by climate change. Depending on where they live, youth may be encountering significant threats right now, but these threats are looming for nearly everyone around the globe. It can be hard for young people to understand, cope with, and act on climate change.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Caregivers can support their children by raising awareness of climate change; providing access to reliable information; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/10-actions-to-help-children-be-more-resilient\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">fostering agency<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> and hope; and framing climate protection as independent, socially responsible behavior.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways Today\u2019s children and adolescents will be exposed to more extreme weather events across their lifetime than previous generations. When thinking about climate change, most young people experience negative emotions, such as worry, sadness, powerlessness, or anger. Some young people experience mental health problems that are caused or worsened by climate change, especially anxiety [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":348,"featured_media":22364,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5774,438],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22360"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/348"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22360"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22360\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22505,"href":"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22360\/revisions\/22505"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22364"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22360"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/childandfamilyblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}