Young people across the world are increasingly facing the impacts of climate change, from losing homes in disasters to having recess canceled due to extreme heatwaves. Climate anxiety is on the rise, as a younger generation confronts inheriting a much hotter world.
Over the years, NPR has created resources for how teachers and parents can talk to children about climate change. This time they wanted to make something specifically for children as they are processing their feelings. They also wanted to create a free resource for parents or teachers who are looking for ways to help children understand how the planet is changing.
The result is a Kids Guide to Climate Change, plus a printable comic, about how climate change is impacting the planet and how children can deal with the big feelings they may have when they hear about it.
To create the guide, Lauren Sommer, correspondent for NPR’s climate desk, and Malaka Gharib, digital editor of the NPR podcast Life Kit, talked with scientists, psychologists, and climate researchers to find the best information and proven practices for how to talk to young people about climate change. They also interviewed several children who have experienced climate disasters and taken action in their local communities.
Although the comic is intended for children aged 6–12 who are starting to hear about climate change or are starting to experience climate anxiety, it can be a resource for people of any age.