Written by the CultivaTeen Roots Team

7 minute read

Our teens are facing so many issues and challenges. The threat of school shootings, terrifying substances like fentanyl, the learning loss and social challenges that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating social media, and climate change- just to name a few! It’s no wonder being a parent during this time is incredibly challenging. At CultivaTeen Roots, our goal is to ease this worry and support parents in learning strategies to help them build strong foundational relationships with their teens and to encourage their growth into independent, thoughtful, and creative humans. As professionals who work with teens, we often hear parents share that they have to navigate unprecedented challenges with little to no resources. When parents are faced with issues like discipline or supporting their teens in thinking about their futures, they can lean on their own experiences from their adolescence. What do they want to replicate and utilize from the way their own caregivers raised them and what do they want to do differently? When faced with a topic like climate change, there is no playbook or past experience to turn to for help. That’s where CultivaTeen Roots comes in! We are here to help. 

Our course, Making AdoleSense, supports parents of teens in utilizing practical strategies for developing lines of open communication. Having this foundation is incredibly beneficial for building trust and being that safe base your teen can go to with their worries.  

What is “Climate Anxiety” and Why Do Teens Experience it: 

Teens are increasingly aware of the world they are inheriting and may be directly emotionally impacted by the current effects of climate change. For some teens, an interest in the environment can lead to impassioned actions that create optimism about their future. For others, it can lead to anxiety, frustration, and feelings of helplessness. Climate anxiety (eco-anxiety) is defined as chronic fear of environmental doom (American Psychological Association). Some of the key features of climate anxiety include feelings of helplessness, feelings of guilt or responsibility, and extreme worry about the future.

2019 National Survey by Amnesty International:

• 70% of young people (ages 18-25) believe that climate change is a global emergency
• 41% report feeling anxious or extremely worried about climate change

2021 Global Study by Lancet Planetary Health:

• 45% of youth said climate-related stress affected their daily lives
• 59% are "very or extremely" worried about climate change
• 75% believe "the future is frightening.

Tailoring Conversations by Age: 

During adolescence, the brain is rapidly developing, so considering your child’s age is crucial when discussing emotionally charged topics. Below are some tips and conversation starters to use for each age range:

Tweens (11-13 years old) 

• Focus on solutions: As Mister Rogers always reminded us, “Look for the helpers”. If you want to get the conversation around climate change started or you want to support your tween in reducing climate anxiety, remind them to focus on the solutions and positive actions of others. What strategies is your community already doing to take action towards climate change? You can point to scientists who are developing new technology, governments making changes, and activists organizing cleanups. 

• Normalize emotions: Notice and validate their emotions. Try saying, “When people feel sad or frustrated by this stuff, it shows they care.” 

• Use practical examples: Strategize with your teen about simple ways your family can make positive changes- recycling, composting, planting a pollinator garden, etc. 
• Praise small actions: Notice and praise their small actions to encourage a sense of autonomy and ownership- “You are always so on top of helping me remember to bring the canvas reusable bags to the grocery store!” 

Conversations Starter: “Climate change can feel so scary and overwhelming but we have power to make changes together as a family that help to take care of the planet. What should we try to work on together? Maybe making sure we are always turning off the lights in the room. What ideas do you have?” 

Middle Teens (14-16 years old) 

• Acknowledge their fears: Utilize the active listening strategies from Making AdoleSense to help guide you. One option might be “It makes sense that this feels overwhelming, it’s such a big topic and it might feel like adults aren’t taking it seriously or doing enough.” 
• Introduce nuance: We are always embracing the concept of true truths- this feels really daunting and overwhelming AND change is happening- but it is a gradual process and requires cooperation from many conflicting sectors of society.
• Promote and collaborate on activism: Do a beach or park cleanup together, get involved in local climate activism committees, and have a letter-writing party to address your concerns with elected officials. A shared passion can be a great bonding opportunity with your teen. 

• Discuss media literacy: Provide tools for sifting through information to be able to identify fact from opinion. Explore options for reliable media. 

Conversation Starter: “You are so right that this is an important topic. I want to hear your perspective on this. Can you share it with me? I love that you care and are motivated to take action. What are some ways that I can get involved with you?” 

Older Teens (17 and above) 

• Encourage future planning: Support your teen or young adult in identifying ways to incorporate their passions into daily activities- are they interested in a career in science or activism, or curious about integrating sustainable business practices in their future career?

• Engage around big picture impacts: Explore their perspectives about renewable energy policies or climate justice and support them in understanding that big changes take time and happen incrementally. 

• Emphasize and model self-care: The Making AdoleSense course has a full section on the importance of encouraging and modeling self-care. Climate anxiety can feel overwhelming and practicing healthy self-care strategies is crucial to avoiding burnout. 
• Respect their perspectives: Your teen might have completely different values and beliefs than you do about this topic. Encourage them to share their perspectives and practice reflective listening to avoid shutting down these important conversations. 

Conversations Starter: “I can see you care deeply about this and I think that is really admirable. Have you thought about how your interests can help you shape a possible future career or hobby around creating more sustainable practices? I am here to support you in any way in figuring this out.” 

Practical Tips for Managing Climate Anxiety at Any Age: 

• Limit doom scrolling: Encourage your teen to take social media and news breaks. Make sure you are modeling this same advice! 

• Get involved: Join community efforts as a family. Building a network of support with people who are passionate about similar interests can be empowering! 

• Model emotional expression and resilience: Your teen is watching you even if they act like you are the most embarrassing person ever! They are taking cues from how you express and normalize your emotions and utilize coping skills as healthy outlets. 

• Make it a family goal to notice the positive: Recognize small efforts by your community or stories of people around you in their actions towards climate change.  

Parents are often faced with the challenge of balancing the need to talk with their teens about difficult topics while also wanting to avoid burdening or overwhelming them with worries. The data is clear: many of our teens are experiencing climate anxiety. Engaging in open conversations, promoting and encouraging action steps, and focusing on positive change are all helpful strategies for helping your teen turn their worries into empowering action. Check out Making AdoleSense for even more tips on building a relationship based on trust and communication with your teen! 

Resources:

American Psychological Association. (2020). Climate Change and Mental Health.

Amnesty International. (2019). The World’s Youth Perception of Climate Change.

Hickman, C., et al. (2021). Young People’s Voices on Climate Anxiety, Government Betrayal, and Moral Injury: A Global Phenomenon. Lancet Planetary Health.