The generation growing up today has more knowledge and power at its fingertips than any before it. With great power comes great responsibility. Our children are living at a precarious moment in the Earth’s history. A tipping point that could prove fatal for the Earth and her inhabitants. It is time you start to teach your children about climate change!
We are already living outside the climate parameters that first gave rise to humans! The world’s leading climate scientists agree that we have only 12 years to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5°C. Still, most governments are not doing enough to stay within these limits as set out by the UN’s 2015 Paris agreement.
One of the most pressing reasons to educate children about climate change is because if we don’t amend our ways, as humans, nature as we know it will cease to exist in balance causing all possible chaos. Pandemics are just one negative consequence of our actions. Other than leading by example, here are five ways to teach your children about climate change.
1. Do a Lab Experiment Together
There are plenty of lab experiments designed for children that can help you explain how climate change works. Depending on your child’s age, it might first be important to make the concept of climate change accessible and tangible. Try an experiment that demonstrates the greenhouse effect on temperatures. Or examine the results of fresh water being added to salt water and its implications for sea levels. If a lab experiment is too much to coordinate, simply get your young one involved. Perhaps there are some plants to be watered, bees to be attracted, pets to be fed. The more your child is involved with nature, the more appreciation and compassion they can develop.
2. Put on Anything Narrated by David Attenborough
The BBC has made dozens of documentaries to date, narrated by Sir David Attenborough. These are related to the wonders the Earth holds and featuring her most curious inhabitants. One of the first steps to educating your child about the planet should also be creating a passion in them for the planet. Much of the imagery captured in these documentaries are scenes we are unlikely to see in person. It’s the fruition of deep exploration and as necessary to be engaged with as any textbook on the subject. In addition to thrilling visuals, the documentaries always point out human practices that impact the planet negatively and are great for inspiring change.
3. Make Behavioral Changes at Home that Shrink Your Carbon Footprint
There are changes you can make at home that can become lifestyle choices for your child. Try eating less meat, drinking tap water instead of buying plastic bottles, going paperless where you can, reducing your plastic consumption, and recycling properly. Always consider multiple solutions before the easy/wasteful one. Think of how things can be fixed or reused together. If it can’t be reused, maybe the items can be morphed into an art project!
4. Read a Book
Cli-fi or climate-fiction is a relatively new sub-genre of literature that deals with climate change and global warming. Not necessarily speculative in nature, works may take place in the world as we know it or in the near future. Some recommended books for older children include War Girls, Gold Fame Citrus, Weather, and Oryx and Crake.
5. Introduce them to Child Activists
Kids tend to learn better and model behavior when they see other kids their age engaging in certain activities. Now called the “Greta Generation”, there are several children leading the fight against climate change in their own way. There are several ways for kids to get involved in activism like participating in protests, making signs, writing letters to local politicians, and planting trees.
For more resources, check out Young Voices for the Planet.