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Parents are learning how to discuss climate change with anxious children
As more kids express eco-anxiety, therapists encourage parents to validate their fears while guiding them toward hopeful action.
In short:
- Youth climate plaintiffs like Olivia Vesovich have sparked conversations on how climate change impacts mental health, especially for children.
- Therapists now recognize the emotional harm caused by eco-anxiety and “moral injuries” in children who feel betrayed by adults’ inaction.
- Educators and parents are developing resources to help kids navigate their fears while empowering them to take part in climate solutions.
Key quote:
“I felt paralyzed… like I couldn’t live my life, because I knew that every single action I took I was helping destroy the planet.”
— Olivia Vesovich, youth climate plaintiff
Why this matters:
Eco-anxiety in children can lead to long-term emotional consequences like cynicism and disconnection. Providing realistic, supportive conversations about climate change can help children process their fears and stay engaged in efforts for a sustainable future.
Related:
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Wildfires increase risk to pregnant people, but public health response lags
Wildfires pose severe risks to pregnant people, but a new report reveals that public health officials are failing to adequately warn and protect vulnerable populations.
In short:
- Pregnant people are at risk of low birth weight and preterm birth from wildfire exposure, yet public health warnings are insufficient.
- Vulnerable groups, like the unhoused and non-English speakers, lack access to vital safety measures, such as air filters.
- Health providers report a lack of guidance on wildfire-related risks, forcing them to rely on their own research.
Key quote:
“While we know that wildfires are continuing to intensify in the US, and we’re increasingly clear on what damages wildfires represent to maternal and newborn health, we’re still not seeing the kind of response from policymakers and public health officials that we need.”
— Skye Wheeler, researcher at Human Rights Watch
Why this matters:
Wildfires, exacerbated by climate change, increase health risks for pregnant people, with long-term impacts on maternal and newborn health. Immediate action is needed to protect vulnerable communities.
Related EHN coverage:
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Half a billion children face increasingly extreme heat
Nearly 500 million children now live in regions with twice as many extremely hot days as there were in the 1960s, according to new Unicef data.
In short:
- Unicef found that 466 million children –about one in five children– worldwide experience at least double the number of extremely hot days compared to 60 years ago.
- The Sahel region in Africa, including Mali, Niger and Sudan, is particularly affected, with 39% children enduring over 200 days of 35°C+ temperatures annually.
- Extreme heat poses severe health risks to children, including heat stress and heightened vulnerability to diseases.
Key quote:
"This new Unicef analysis issues a stark warning about the speed and scale at which extremely hot days are affecting children."
— David Knaute, Unicef regional climate specialist for west and central Africa.
Why this matters:
Children’s bodies struggle to cope with extreme heat, leading to serious health risks. As global temperatures continue to rise, urgent action is needed to protect the most vulnerable.
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Rising sea levels threaten Bay Area schools
Mill Valley Middle School, along with 51 other Bay Area schools, faces increased flood risks due to climate change, prompting debate over rebuilding strategies.
Ezra David Romero and Katie Worth report for KQED and Climate Central.
In short:
- Parents at Mill Valley Middle School are concerned about flooding that disrupts access to the school and risks student safety, with traffic chaos on the sole access road being a recurring issue.
- An analysis by KQED and Climate Central identified 52 Bay Area schools at risk from rising sea levels, with the situation expected to worsen by 2050.
- Wealthier districts like Mill Valley can fund flood mitigation, but economically disadvantaged schools lack resources to protect against rising waters.
Key quote:
“The kids are massively losing out, and for what? To rebuild a building on a site where it shouldn’t be rebuilt. It just doesn’t make sense.”
— Miranda O’Connell, Mill Valley parent
Why this matters:
Rising sea levels and increased flood risks are challenging infrastructure planning in vulnerable areas. Without coordinated efforts and funding, low-income communities may face heightened risks and inadequate protection against climate change impacts.
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Teachers adapt to address emotional impacts of climate change
Educators are increasingly focusing on trauma-sensitive approaches to help students manage the emotional effects of climate change.
Nathalie Reid, Audrey Aamodt, and Jennifer MacDonald write for The Conversation.
In short:
- Teachers are noticing rising climate anxiety among students and are adopting trauma-sensitive methods to support them.
- Professional development for educators includes outdoor learning, interdisciplinary inquiry, and balanced climate action strategies.
- Sharing hopeful stories and focusing on community-led climate initiatives helps nurture a forward-looking mindset.
Why this matters:
Climate change education that acknowledges and addresses students' emotional responses can foster resilience and hope. As young people face an uncertain future, equipping them with strategies to cope with climate trauma is essential for their mental health and engagement in meaningful climate action.
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Hawaii agrees to a zero-emission transportation deadline
Hawaii has reached a legal settlement with young climate activists, requiring the state to achieve zero emissions in its transportation sector by 2045.
In short:
- The lawsuit, filed by 13 young people, claimed Hawaii's transportation policies violated their constitutional rights by contributing to climate change.
- The settlement mandates Hawaii to fully decarbonize its ground, sea, and inter-island air transportation by 2045.
- This agreement includes oversight by the court to ensure compliance and faster progress towards emission reduction goals.
Key quote:
“This is an extraordinary, unprecedented victory for the youth plaintiffs.”
— Michael Gerrard, faculty director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University
Why this matters:
This settlement marks a significant step in addressing climate change by targeting transportation emissions, a major contributor to greenhouse gases. It also demonstrates the power of youth activism in influencing environmental policy.
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Countries neglect children in climate adaptation plans
Many countries' climate adaptation plans fail to address the specific needs of children, with one-third not mentioning them at all, a new study finds.
In short:
- A study of 160 countries shows 28% of national climate adaptation plans do not mention children.
- One-third of plans that mention children only address a single area, such as education, with none addressing mental health.
- Experts cite a lack of advocacy, funding, collaboration, and data as reasons for this oversight.
Key quote:
“Children’s mental health is a crucial public health concern that requires immediate action.”
— Kathrin Zangerl, pediatrician and the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health
Why this matters:
Children are uniquely susceptible to the impacts of climate change, from heatwaves and flooding to food and water insecurity. Yet, despite their heightened vulnerability, the study found that policymakers often overlook the distinct challenges children face. This omission could have serious long-term consequences, not only for their health and development but also for their ability to thrive in a changing world.
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