This School Year, Help Students Take Climate Action
Learn about a new toolkit from The Nature Conservancy designed to help young people take climate action, starting right in their own schools.
By Ximena Marquez
School’s back in session, and with the new year comes an opportunity to help students manage climate anxiety and take action for the planet. A cohort of youth leaders worked with The Nature Conservancy and the Aspen Institute’s This is Planet Ed initiative to co-produce a Youth Climate Action Toolkit that provides students with strategies and resources to advance local climate solutions.
Tackling Climate Through Teaching
The Youth Climate Action Toolkit includes messaging and key ideas to help students understand what climate change is, why it’s happening and what they can do to address it. Engaging students in climate education and action not only provides the hope and agency needed to counteract climate anxiety, it also has the potential to drive tremendous change, as Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) is on track to be the world’s largest.
Sustainability Starts with Schools
Students and schools can play an important role in addressing climate change. From buses to lunches, U.S. schools are key producers of carbon pollution. They produce about 72 million metric tons of carbon pollution a year—an amount that would take over 1 billion trees growing for 10 years to absorb. But with nearly 100,000 schools and over 50 million students across the country, schools can also become beacons of sustainability and climate action.
Taking the First Steps
In addition to key messages and ideas to teach students about climate change, the Youth Climate Action Toolkit includes a breakdown of steps to get started: A list of recommended books provides a deeper dive into issues and solutions; talking to a friend can help them manage the range of emotions they may be feeling; and getting outside provides connection to the natural places that can mitigate some of climate change’s biggest impacts.
Get Motivation From Youth Mentors
Young people want to act and lead on behalf of the planet—and many are already doing so. The toolkit provides students an opportunity to meet youth ambassadors and mentors who are making a difference across the globe.
According to a study by the American Psychological Association, climate change has repercussions for the mental health and well-being of children and young people. Yet the study also makes it clear that educators, caregivers and communities can play a significant role in helping fight the mental health consequences of climate change. The toolkit contains resources educators and students need to take action together, from details for crafting local climate action plans, to funding sources, to advocating with key stakeholders and addressing sticky talking points. Download the kit to share with the young conservation leaders in your classroom today.
Stay Updated This School Year
With school back in session, you can receive free environmental education materials for your classroom by signing up for TNC’s monthly Nature Lab e-newsletter. Sign up now.
Ximena Marquez is The Nature Conservancy’s associate director for education.
Lesson Plans on Climate Change
Explore more resources for educators to find a wide-range of relevant preK-12 lessons on climate change or supporting young people as they continue to lead the conversation around the climate change crisis.
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