How to teach children to respond to climate crisis and contribute to sustainable living?
written by Poh Gan
Ninety-five percent of young Australians believe climate change is a serious problem. Four in five young people are anxious about climate change (APS, 2019). As a parent, can you imagine what our children’s lives will be like in about 20 years from now, if climate change continues to be a threat to humankind? As we experience more significant natural disasters such as bushfires, extreme weather and drought due to higher levels of greenhouse gases, have we ever paused and pondered the fact that this earth will be the place where our children will be raising their children, our grandchildren? What can we do about this? This is an uncomfortable yet hugely relevant topic for the survival of our offspring.
The more informed we are, the better we are able at making good choices and instilling these concepts and values in our children. More importantly, if we model the proactive strategies to conserve our environment ourselves, they will pick up and learn from us. Climate change issues are no longer just a topic of discussion among politicians. It is something that everyone of us is responsible for. In doing that, we can provide our future generation a safe and sustainable environment.
Here are some strategies to teach and engage children to contribute to sustainable living and be environmental-friendly:
1. Discuss and inform – most children have some exposure at school about climate issues. If they raise concerns, do not be afraid to take it as a good opportunity to teach and discuss ways that you can do to make a difference as a family. Use simple and honest language to inform children e.g., “We have bush fire because the climate is changing;” “The earth is getting hotter because we have used too much petrol, gas and plastic.”
2. Acknowledge, reflect and guide – The thoughts about global warming and its impacts on human suffering, increase of disasters and flora and fauna extinction, can be depressing. Acknowledge, reflect their feelings and help them to cope by taking action.
3. Research together – Read books with them about climate change. E.g., ‘Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming’ by Laurie David, ‘The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge’ by Joanna Cole, ‘The Lorex’ by Dr Zeuss. Go online to learn ways to support sustainable living in everyday life (see United Nations 10 steps at home). E.g., choose to take public transport when possible to reduce carbon footprint. Use our own bag when shopping. Reduce use of plastic. Shop at the local grocery store. Have a vegetable garden. Recycle and reuse waste properly. Reduce intake of beef and lamb. Reduce the use of heating during winter.
4. Cultivate a love for nature – take kids out into nature and help them to appreciate the beauty of nature. Let them enjoy free and unstructured time in nature E.g., picnic, camping, bird watching, bush play. This is actually also good for their mental health!
5. Take action together – it is empowering and hopeful for children to know that they too can make a difference. Share with them stories about Greta Thunberg. Join a family-friendly rally for the environment. Join community activities to take climate actions. Write to politicians and lobby climate change actions together with your children.
6. Build hopes – Sustainable living and taking action to help with climate change is a long journey. While our actions may not equate immediate outcomes in solving problems, it is important to help our children to see the purpose and value of protecting our future generation’s planet.
Helpful Resources:
3. Australian Youth Climate Coalition https://www.aycc.org.au
4. Youth for climate justice https://climatejusticealliance.org/workgroup/youth/
5. Act now – United Nations 10 steps at home https://www.un.org/en/actnow/
6. Environmental Footprint calculator https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/