Note to Grownups
Climate change is a difficult topic for people of all ages, but can be particularly hard for children to understand. Climate change and climate justice have some powerful and frightening implications, and children may need help wrestling with some associated emotions and issues. Here are some tips and information for you as a grown-up to help the child or children in your life understand these issues:
What is climate justice?
Climate justice addresses the unfair outcomes of climate change. Different people are affected by climate change in distinct ways. Those who do not directly contribute to climate change are often the people who suffer the most and the earliest. The animals and the people in our story live in a sustainable manner, but their homes are put in jeopardy because of climate change. This is an example of the kind of injustice that climate justice tries to combat.
Help your child understand that climate change affects those less fortunate much more. Just as the penguins suffered from sea level rise and melting ice, people that live in coastal areas often cannot move inland when sea level rise encroaches upon their homes.
What can you and your child do?
1. Engage with the text! Remember to read actively and point out the details in these pictures that help illustrate this topic.
a. Example: when the people change their ways, they also change their habits such as biking instead of driving.
2. Work together to reduce your carbon footprint!
a. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
b. Carpool and ride bikes
c. Buy Local Produce
3. Learn about climate issues around the world and in your neighborhood.
4. Write a letter to your local government expressing your concern about climate injustices in your area.
What is climate justice?
Climate justice addresses the unfair outcomes of climate change. Different people are affected by climate change in distinct ways. Those who do not directly contribute to climate change are often the people who suffer the most and the earliest. The animals and the people in our story live in a sustainable manner, but their homes are put in jeopardy because of climate change. This is an example of the kind of injustice that climate justice tries to combat.
Help your child understand that climate change affects those less fortunate much more. Just as the penguins suffered from sea level rise and melting ice, people that live in coastal areas often cannot move inland when sea level rise encroaches upon their homes.
What can you and your child do?
1. Engage with the text! Remember to read actively and point out the details in these pictures that help illustrate this topic.
a. Example: when the people change their ways, they also change their habits such as biking instead of driving.
2. Work together to reduce your carbon footprint!
a. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
b. Carpool and ride bikes
c. Buy Local Produce
3. Learn about climate issues around the world and in your neighborhood.
4. Write a letter to your local government expressing your concern about climate injustices in your area.