Talk to Kids About Global Warming
Help Children Deal With Stress and Fear Over Environmental Issues
Children, today, may stress about global warming and the future. Help them cope with reassurance and by teaching them to make responsible environmental choices.
Global warming is a reality. Even the Supreme Court has recognized this with its decision that the EPA must regulate carbon emissions from automobiles, in an effort to combat global warming.
Children may hear about global warming and ask what it means and they may stress about the future. A British survey by Youguv found that children ages 11 to 14 were more worried about global warming than they were about homework. (2006 RM School Gate Survey) Seventy-four percent of surveyed children were worried about global warming.
Experts have provided lots of advice about how to protect children from the stress of war and terrorism. Some of that knowledge can be applied to protecting them from the stress associated with environmental fears.
Simple Environmental Lessons in Early Childhood
Parents do not want to give too much detailed information about global warming to children under the age of six. Any information on how global warming occurs, and what it means for the future, should be developmentally appropriate. In simple terms, tell the child that there are too many cars in the world and they are making the world warmer. Tell them there is a balance in nature. Just like the porridge in Goldilocks and the Three Bears, our planet should not be too hot nor too cold. Depending on the child’s maturity, a parent may share the knowledge that the polar ice caps are melting and polar bears are losing their homes. This information may not be appropriate for very young or sensitive children.
Young children will need to be reassured and told that they are safe and that their parents are working to stop global warming. Tell them they can help too, by turning off the lights whenever they leave a room.
Responsible Environmental Choices in Grade School
Grade school-aged children may want more information about global warming. Listen to their questions and try to answer them honestly. However, don’t give them too much information that would frighten them, such as the possibility of flooding, droughts and species extinction. Bring it to their level, by telling them there may be less water available for swimming pools. The story of polar bears losing their habitat would be meaningful to grade school children.
Encourage children to make responsible choices about global warming. Tell them that burning fossil fuels, such as oil, coal and natural gas, creates carbon dioxide, which traps heat and causes global warming. Tell them they can curb global warming by planting a tree, which absorbs carbon dioxide. Explore other environmentally proactive activities. Two Web sites, with lots of information on global warming, geared toward children, are sponsored by the EPA and OneWorld UK.
Teens Can Become Environmental Leaders
Pre-teens and teens also need reassurance. They need their parents to listen to their concerns about the environment. Parents can be honest regarding the threat of global warming. Teens can be encouraged to make responsible choices and to be less materialistic. Encourage them to get politically involved in curbing global warming. They can write letters to political leaders, start an environmental club at school or get involved in an Earth Day event.
Earth Day Provides New Start For Families
The best thing a family can do to help children deal with global warming is to take steps to stop the spread of global warming. Parents need to show children they are willing to give up some luxuries today to make a better future for their children tomorrow. Parents can drive less, carpool more, purchase energy-efficient vehicles and appliances, and much more. Now is the time to start modeling environmentally conscious behavior.
