Should We Educate Kids and Teens About The Effects Of Climate Change?

Our daily routine has a number of actions that contribute to the emission of Carbon di Oxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases. They have their hold over climate change, and it is essential that every human on this planet knows about this. 

Given that, it is also important for the younger generation to realize the impact of the problem and thereby reduce emissions. How can they help in the battle against climate change? Keep reading to find out!

What Essentially Is Climate Change?

Contemporary climate change is the sudden, rapid, unpredictable changes in our earth’s climate caused by human activities such as greenhouse gas pollution, increasing livestock farming, deforestation, etc. This indeed has a recognizable impact on the weather patterns, thereby affecting humans again.

Causes of Climate Change

Climate change can be mainly attributed to human activities that contribute to the increase in greenhouse gases or activities that do not reduce their effect. Some of these include:

• Burning of oil, coal, and gases (fossil fuels) for electricity and domestic purposes.
• Deforestation for resources and clearing of land for civilization.
• Generation of non-biodegradable waste that releases toxic gases on partial breakdown.
• Oil drilling for the collection of petroleum hydrocarbons and other oils.
• Use of private transportation and planes on a daily basis.
• Increasing consumerism and the purchase of unsustainable products.
• Industrialization, energy consumed, and pollutants released.
• Meat farming, processing, and overfishing.

Why Should We Take Action Against Climate Change?

The effects of climate change are visible today, and if we don't start now, the awaiting fate might be inevitable. With every step away, we're paving three more steps forward, owing to how hard it is to reverse our actions. 

As the famous saying goes, “We haven’t inherited the earth from our ancestors; we’ve simply borrowed it from our future generations.” 

It is high time that we realize our responsibility, educate the people around us, our friends, family, and loved ones, and start our journey towards eco-friendliness. Beginning from our homes, kids and teenagers also have their part to play, starting with education.

What Should We Teach Kids About Climate Change?

It might not be easy for a parent, sibling, or teacher to talk about serious topics like global warming and extinction to young kids. But without the knowledge and awareness at a young age, we might fall behind our already late actions. 

Firstly, after they understand what climate change is, it is important to teach them about its effects and why it's important to contribute to the cause as much as possible.

Effects of Climate Change

Some of the main problems caused by changing weather patterns include increasing maximum and minimum temperatures, rising sea levels, increasing precipitation, shrinking glaciers, and much more. 

"Even if we were to stop pitting out greenhouse gases right now, we'd still face decades of warming." - Jamais Cascio. 

Without immediate efforts against global warming, we might fail to reduce the effects of global warming, which might be the cause of mass extinction, planet-wide calamities, and other such heavy-impact problems.

What Can Kids and Teenagers Do Help?

Remember, no one but your kids will blame you for climate change.  

Starting with younger children who can't understand their part, you can start activities that'll inspire them like planting a tree, being fascinated by its growth, and then telling them how it helps our environment. Helping them a note and appreciate seasons can be a good foundation to observe and experience. 

Begin with simple science that they can visibly see, which will also help them validate their learnings in the future. Abstract ideas with live demonstrations (like using a bedsheet to show how greenhouse gases and global warming work) and reassuring them that positive change and combined efforts can change this are key to learning.

Personal Responsibility

Individual action matters count and are essential for battling climate change. While their education about climate change starts at a young age, so does their responsibility. 

Make sure that kids accept responsibility and recognize the importance of collaboration. From cleanups to reducing the use of plastics and turning off lights when not in use, teaching eco-friendly behavior in every action helps. 

Help them see how a simple alternative can have a large impact and make sure to be their guide when they’re overwhelmed.