How can you help young people to adapt to climate change?

Younger generations will experience the impacts of climate change more keenly than older generations. So how can we help young people understand and adapt to climate change?

School groundsman and sustainability officer Troy Butler helps students take the lead on sustainability actions. Credit: Carmen Bunting

The podcast

Everything We Need

is about how regional Australian communities are already learning to survive and thrive in a changing climate. As you'll hear in the series, there are things we can be doing now to help young people understand and adapt to climate change.

Listen and be sensitive to climate grief
Grief is a logical response to the current extinction and climate crisis but can become debilitating and unhealthy. The period between adolescence and the mid twenties is a time of heightened emotional sensitivity and young people can ‘feel it’ more intensely than adults and children. Mental wellbeing can be supported through teaching mindfulness and stress management; connecting with nature and peers; and finding positive and affirming ways to express concerns and be active about climate adaptation.
Celebrate successes and share positive stories about young people acting for climate
Balance news of grim climate and environment projections with stories about affirming responses to the crisis. Suggest articles, books, podcasts and films that explore the impressive and inspiring work young people are doing across the globe. Help build hope by remembering successful social and environmental justice campaigns as well as pointing out that solutions to the climate crisis exist, and that people are working on them.
Talk about the benefits of being aware and engaged in the climate crisis.
Understanding and being aware of the climate crisis can give us a greater appreciation for life and gratitude for what we have now, it can lead to personal growth in wisdom about what really matters, and build our capacity for empathy.
Encourage young people to feel good about doing things that help climate and environment
We are happier when we feel good about what we do - and reminding ourselves of the positive reasons why we do something can improve mental wellbeing. Reframe chores such as mending clothes, riding the bike to get somewhere and hanging out the washing, as acts of love – positive and intentional contributions to the climate response and an expression of priorities and values.
Encourage connection with Nature and learning about traditional ecological knowledge
Promote environmental literacy by connecting young people with nature and fostering a deep appreciation for the natural world. Learning about traditional ecological knowledge can help scaffold experiences and observations. Find opportunities for outdoor education, field trips, and environmental stewardship projects to inspire a sense of responsibility towards the planet.
Share household decision making about climate adaptation with young people.
Involve and engage young people in researching, planning, deciding and acting to adapt to the changing climate — from calculating the household carbon budget to planning for emergency events and making meals using only fresh, local produce that is in season.
Encourage young people to connect with others who are active and engaged in climate
Between the ages of twelve to the mid twenties is a time of intense social connection, when the need to explore identity and be with peer groups is strong. Encourage young people to connect with others who have similar values about climate and environment and will be a support for them when times get tough. Get involved in slow fashion and environmental restoration, discover the joys of bike riding and camping and find volunteering opportunities at a local animal shelter, community house or garden.
Encourage young people to lead change in the community
Action is said to be the best antidote to anxiety. Encourage young people to get involved in climate action and speaking up at a local, state, national and global level. Schools provide opportunities for student leadership through representative councils while local government and community houses often seek youth participants for advisory groups and to devise and lead youth-focused activities. Youth activist organisations such as SS4C provide support for leadership on climate and help link youth climate activists at a state and national level.
Build life skills and capacity.
Teach resilience-building and problem-solving skills to help young people cope with the impacts of climate change. Provide training in disaster preparedness and community resilience planning as well as how to live regeneratively at home in the community. Encourage interdisciplinary and iterative approaches to problem solving which promote innovative and holistic solutions.
Plan for the future with young people
Support young people to shape their expectations to a climate changed future. Focusing on what is within our reach makes us happier than fixating on what is beyond us. Talk about career pathways and opportunities in fields such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, conservation, and climate science. Explore mentorship programs, internships, and vocational training that prepare for careers that contribute to positive climate responses.
Help your local school, youth or childcare centre
Support the people and organisations that support young people. Volunteer at your local school, youth or childcare centre. Encourage nude food, water saving and active transport initiatives among students, and help your school fundraise for a food or pollinator garden, green shading and solar panels.
Lead by example
Show the young people in your life that you care about their future by prioritising climate and environment in your own spheres of influence. Act on climate and seek to adapt to change at home and in your personal life, in your community and social networks and at work and in the broader world. Share your own struggles, hopes and ideas and let them know you walk alongside them.