Climate Anxiety- How to help our children process natural disasters
Lessons from the Los Angeles fires.
As fires rage through the Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, many of us are grappling with the heartbreak of watching an entire community burn down to ashes ver quickly. For children, events like these are especially difficult to process. They may not have the words to articulate their fears or even feel like there is no safe space to express themselves. Natural disasters, compounded by the growing awareness of climate change, can stir overwhelming emotions—commonly known as climate anxiety. Oh yes it's a thing!
As parents, caregivers, and community members, it’s essential to help our children process these challenging emotions with compassion and action. Here’s how:
1. Talk to Them: Create a Safe Space for Processing
Changing the topic or brushing it off when children bring up natural disasters can leave them feeling dismissed or more anxious. Instead:
Be Open: Let them know it’s okay to feel scared, sad, or even angry about what’s happening. Acknowledge their emotions without minimizing them.
Answer Their Questions: Provide age-appropriate explanations and allow them to be curious. If they ask the same questions repeatedly, understand that this is part of their processing.
Validate Their Feelings: Saying something as simple as, “I can see this is really upsetting for you,” can go a long way in helping them feel supported.
Reassure them that you are there to keep them safe and that many people are working hard to address the situation. Knowing they are not alone can help ease their fears. Also, keep in mind that you might have to help them process the scenery, images and conversations around them over and over again.
2. Model Compassion: Take Action Together
Children learn by watching how we respond. When faced with disasters like the Pacific Palisades fires, showing them that we can do something constructive helps counteract feelings of helplessness.
Find Ways to Help: Donate supplies, money, or time to organizations assisting those affected by the fires. Involve your children in choosing how to help, whether it’s picking out items to donate or writing a letter of encouragement to displaced families.
Take Local Action: Plant trees, reduce waste, or support community efforts that address climate change. These tangible actions provide a sense of agency and show that even small efforts make a difference.
Discuss the Impact: Explain how helping others can provide relief and hope—both for those affected and for themselves. This helps ease their climate anxiety by reinforcing the idea that they can contribute to solutions.
3. Talk About Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Values
Natural disasters offer an opportunity to discuss the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic values. Events like the Pacific Palisades fires, where many opulent families were impacted, highlight a significant lesson: material wealth cannot shield us from life's challenges. What remains in the face of loss is our connections, love, and the resilience of our community. This is an invaluable perspective to share age appropriately with our children, emphasizing what truly matters.
Explain Intrinsic Values: Focus on qualities like kindness, empathy, and resilience. These are things we can control and that define who we are, regardless of external circumstances.
Contrast with Extrinsic Values: Highlight that material possessions, while important, are not as meaningful as the connections and community we build.
Tie It to Action: Encourage your children to find ways to express their intrinsic values by helping others, which can deepen their sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Teaching children to prioritize what truly matters helps them build emotional resilience and perspective during difficult times.
4. Empower Them With Knowledge
Providing children with knowledge about natural disasters and climate change helps demystify these events and reduces fear of the unknown.
Explain Why It Happens: Use simple language to describe the causes of wildfires and the role of climate change. Focus on facts rather than sensationalism.
Focus on Solutions: Highlight positive efforts being made globally to address climate change, such as renewable energy projects or reforestation initiatives. Knowing that people are working toward solutions can provide comfort and hope.
Encourage Questions: Let them explore the topic as deeply as they need to, offering books, videos, or discussions that foster curiosity rather than fear.
5. Build Resilience Through Connection
Normalize Emotions: Let children know it’s okay to feel overwhelmed but emphasize that they are not alone. Share your own feelings and how you cope with them.
Create Routines: When disaster strikes, maintaining familiar routines provides a sense of stability and comfort.
Practice Mindfulness Together: Activities like deep breathing, yoga, or grounding exercises can help children manage stress and anxiety.
6. Foster Hope for the Future
While it’s important to acknowledge the reality of natural disasters, it’s equally crucial to inspire hope. One of the concerns with climate change is that we talk about it without hope leaving us in a state of inertia. Teach your children that they can be part of the solution—whether by conserving energy, advocating for climate policies, or spreading awareness.
Finally
Natural disasters like the disruptive fires can leave children feeling scared and uncertain, but with the right approach, we can help them process these events and build resilience. By talking openly, taking meaningful action, and empowering them with knowledge, we equip our children to navigate a world increasingly affected by climate change. Together, we can turn moments of fear into opportunities for growth, connection, and hope.
Ok, if you've made it this far I love you.
Sogol Johnson