I didn’t know what climate change was until I was 14.
Sure, I’d heard the term tossed around on News 12, at school and across social media, but it was just a buzzword, nothing I could relate to in a meaningful way. I avoided looking further into it, afraid of feeling overwhelmed and anxious.
As I grew older, the urgency of the climate crisis became impossible to ignore, and I knew I had to take action. This realization led me to pursue environmental studies in college.
But, by then, I felt like I had joined the fight too late.
This disconnect isn’t just unfortunate — it’s a problem that needs to change for today’s kids.
Parents, grandparents and child care providers, your kids should start learning about climate change even before they enter kindergarten, and those lessons should come from you. You’re their first teacher. Whether it’s during TV time, at the kitchen table or on a walk to the ice cream shop, these conversations are critical.
As the climate crisis threatens the well-being of future generations, children emerge as crucial leaders in the environmental movement. Inspired by young activists like Xiye Bastida, Greta Thunberg, and Jerome Foster II, kids can find their voices and become powerful advocates for change. Teaching them early about climate issues equips them with the knowledge and resources to tackle climate change, adopt sustainable habits and advocate for long-term solutions.
Talking to kids about climate change before they start school also helps them process complex emotions related to ecological changes. A study by the American Psychological Association found that children who engage in environmental discussions are better equipped to manage climate anxiety and develop resilience.
Learning about environmental issues early on fosters emotional intelligence, enabling kids to confront challenges head-on, rather than feeling overwhelmed by fear or helplessness. These early lessons help children become empathetic leaders as they confront climate challenges in the future.
According to the National Science Teaching Association, children who are introduced to climate concepts early are more likely to develop a clear understanding of the environment and their connection to it.
Kids between ages 3 and 7 are especially receptive to learning through storytelling, hands-on activities and visual cues, which lay the foundation for curiosity about the climate crisis. For younger children, from birth to age 3, exploratory play helps familiarize themselves with the environment. Starting these conversations early sets your kids up to be climate leaders.
Children who learn about climate change early are more likely to adopt sustainable habits that carry into adulthood. Research from The Nature Conservancy shows that early exposure to environmental issues fosters greater environmental stewardship later in life. When children are introduced to sustainability from a young age, they’re more inclined to advocate for eco-friendly practices and embrace them in their own lives.
By initiating these discussions, parents empower the next generation to become climate changemakers.
You may hesitate to teach young children about the climate crisis due to concerns that it causes anxiety and fear. However, avoiding these conversations poses a much greater risk.
Studies show that children under 5 are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This age group faces increased risks of respiratory illnesses, malnutrition, heat-related conditions and limited access to clean water due to extreme weather events.
I want your kids to be better prepared than I was.
To empower children to protect themselves and others from the effects of climate change, start with a simple conversation or, for younger kids, engage them with environmental visuals. Involve them in hands-on activities, like caring for a plant or an animal. Volunteer together to create public green spaces across Long Island. Join an organization that empowers kids in their fight for climate justice. Connect with other families to advocate for school gardening programs.
They have the potential to be the planet’s future protectors, thanks to you.
Milla Douer is a student at Cornell University, where she is double-majoring in communication, and environment and sustainability. Her family lives in Water Mill.
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