Samara Eaton is the mother of 17-year-old slam poet and climate activist, Quinn MacAskill. The family lives in Sackville, NB, where Quinn first got involved in climate strikes. MacAskill’s passion and strong public speaking skills led her to many exciting opportunities such as speaking at a TedX event in Moncton, and a crowd of 10 000 at WE Day Atlantic in fall 2019. (read more about Quinn MacAskill’s climate activism here)
Samara Eaton is the mother of 17-year-old slam poet and climate activist, Quinn MacAskill. The family lives in Sackville, NB, where Quinn first got involved in climate strikes. MacAskill’s passion and strong public speaking skills led her to many exciting opportunities such as speaking at a TedX event in Moncton, and a crowd of 10 000 at WE Day Atlantic in fall 2019.
Her mother, Samara Eaton, has been there all along, supporting her daughter in her efforts, helping out with logistics and serving as a sounding board for ideas and practicing speeches.
Eaton says it hasn’t always been easy to support her children in learning about climate change and other issues in the world, but it has always been a family priority to care about the environment and about social justice.
Over the years, it has led to some difficult conversations about the irrational nature of certain human behaviours and choices. She says that as a parent, it’s important to be present for those conversations, despite not always having the answers.
When it comes to having conversations about climate change with your kids, Eaton provides some of the following tips:
1. Use age-appropriate explanations
Eaton says it’s important to consider children’s age when tailoring your message, without oversimplifying or sugar-coating. According to Yale Climate Connections, there are two schools of thought on talking to very young children about climate change: some people advise against getting into specifics, focusing on connecting with Nature first. Others, such as the Climate Psychology Alliance and Psychotherapist Caroline Hickman say climate change needs to be included in childrens’ worlds from a young age so they develop the emotional skills they need to understand and become resilient.
The NRDC provides some examples for different approaches adults can use for younger kids versus school-age children. For instance, they suggest focusing on inspiring wonder for the environment for ages 0-6. Plant seeds, care for animals, celebrate the seasons and focus on small actions that help protect the planet. Remind them that many adults care about the planet and are working to protect it.
For children ages 6-12, the NRDC suggests explaining the science in simple terms (check out the NPR’s Kid’s guide to climate change, which includes a comic about climate change and what it means). Find out what they already know, and then use the blanket metaphor to explain the effect of greenhouse gasses (The National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation provides a very clear breakdown of the blanket metaphor in this one-pager). Then emphasize that solutions already exist, and discuss what people can do in their personal lives.
For pre-teens (ages 12-14), the NRDC says adults should focus on open discussions. Encourage questions even if you do not have all the answers, and encourage them to use their strengths to make a difference.
When it comes to teenagers, they might know more about the latest science than adults do, so don’t be afraid to let them educate others on climate change, suggests the NRDC. Point out actions taken by their peers to make a difference, and discuss coping strategies for dealing with climate anxiety and stress.
2. Know the science is clear
It’s important that parents understand that the science on climate change is clear. You don’t need to be an expert, just know the basic scientific facts, says Eaton. Our Kids, Our Climate suggests finding science-based information through environmental groups in your area, government departments or weather associations. “Start by reading up about the climate crisis to get a little insight on the subject. […] Don’t be afraid to connect with your emotions when you educate yourself,” states their guide for parents. Some New-Brunswick based resources that break down climate change basics include this fact sheet by CPAWS-NB and the Conservation Council of NB’s page and videos on how and why climate change affects New Brunswick. In addition, the Climate Atlas of Canada provides canadian climate science, maps, stories and videos. The Gaia Project offers programs and classroom support on climate change education help empower youth to take action.
3. Acknowledge the magnitude of the issue
“You can’t shy away from the fact that this is a reality that we’re dealing with. This is a complex problem. This is interconnected,” says Eaton. A guide for parents from Our Kids, Our Planet says “when you talk about the climate crisis, it’s important to have the courage to explore the seriousness of the climate crisis and discuss what it means.” This means also talking about feelings. “Helping children and young people to put their feelings into words is central to being able to handle information about the climate and create hope.”
Part of acknowledging the scope of the issue is also about recognizing that this is a global problem, says Eaton. She says that people in different parts of the world may be feeling the effects more strongly than we are in New Brunswick, and it’s important to understand that the responsibility for action is with everyone.
4. Emphasize that we can make a difference, and focus on hope
Messages about how we can make a difference are amongst the most important to transmit, says Eaton. She says her daughter Quinn MacAskill often refers to the positive messages of people like Jane Goodall and David Attenborough to remain optimistic and avoid hopelessness and helplessness.
5. Support action, and take action, no matter how small
According to Our Kids, Our Climate, taking action is essential. Eaton agrees: she says doing something about the problem can be very empowering and can help keep despair and anxiety at bay. Not only should parents support their children in taking action, but adults as well need to act. The Our Kid, Our Climate guide states that “The most important thing is that we, as adults, act to contribute to the solutions to the climate crisis. We need to do this regardless of whether the children around us are interested or worried about the climate crisis, or not.”
6. Make sure they know they are not alone
Unicef states that “knowing about and hearing from young people will help your child feel less alone and more empowered to take action themselves. Be open to what your child has to say about the climate movement and the role they want to play in it.” Eaton suggests encouraging youth to connect with others who have similar concerns and are doing something about it. She says that’s what was so powerful about the youth climate strike movement: it showed young people that they were not alone. “It was truly amazing when you think about it, and you step back and you look at the breadth and scope of what happened at that time. I mean, it was the single largest movement in history and entirely youth-led and, you know, calling a spade a spade, and demanding that everyone wake up and demanding that we follow the science,” says Eaton.
Summary: Tips for talking about climate change with your kids
- Use age-appropriate explanations
- Know the science is clear
- Acknowledge the magnitude of the issue
- Emphasize that we can make a difference, focus on hope
- Be supportive of actions, no matter how small
- Make sure they know they are not alone: encourage your kids to connect with other youth who are taking action
A few useful links
Climate Psychology Alliance: many resources, support and information, including for youth
Our Kids Our Planet: climate change guide for parents
NASA: resources for kids on climate change
PBS News Hour: How to talk to your kids about climate change (article)
NNOCCI: Heat-Trapping Blanket Metaphor
NRDC: Breakdown of age-appropriate approaches for talking about climate change
NPR: A Kid’s Guide to Climate Change (comic for kids)
CPAWS-NB: Fact sheet on climate change in NB
CCNB: Climate change and how it affects NB
Climate Atlas of Canada: climate science, maps and stories
Gaia Project: resources for teachers in NB
