What children want us to know about climate change | BBC Ideas

Summary

The speaker discusses the alarming reality of climate change, likening it to a parasite that grows as the environment suffers. Children today live with the fear of extinction and the knowledge that the world is deteriorating, while older generations are only now waking up to the crisis. The speaker calls out the unfair burden placed on young people to fix the problem, stressing the need for collective responsibility. They highlight the frustration of being ignored by adults and urge regular conversations on climate change to find solutions together, rather than waiting for answers.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Climate change is likened to a parasite, growing while the environment deteriorates.
• 🐻 Younger generations are aware that species like polar bears may go extinct, unlike older generations who had a more hopeful view.
• 😟 Many children feel that the future is frightening due to climate change, with over 75% expressing concern.
• 😡 Young people are frustrated by the inaction of adults and feel angry that the issue is not being addressed adequately.
• 🔄 There is a call for collective responsibility among all generations to tackle climate change, rather than placing the burden solely on the youth.
• 📊 Nearly 50% of young people feel ignored when discussing climate change issues with adults.
• 🗣️ Open dialogue about climate change is essential, and it's important for adults to engage regularly with children on this topic.
• 🤔 Adults are encouraged to acknowledge their uncertainties about climate change and work together with children to find solutions.
• 😩 The emotional impact of climate change awareness is significant, causing feelings of anger, fear, and fatigue among youth.
• 💪 Children want their voices heard and are seeking respect for their thoughts and contributions towards addressing climate change.

Q & A

What metaphor is used to describe climate change in the script?

Climate change is compared to a parasite because it continues to grow while the environment suffers.

How do children perceive climate change differently than older generations?

Children grow up with the knowledge of climate change and the understanding that polar bears and other species may go extinct, whereas older generations believed these species would always be around.

What emotional impact does climate change have on young people?

The script indicates that many young people feel frightened and angry about climate change and the lack of action taken by adults.

What percentage of young people feel that adults have failed to care for the planet?

Eight out of ten young people feel that adults have failed to take care of the planet.

What do young people express about the responsibility of fixing climate change?

Young people feel it is unfair to place the entire responsibility of fixing climate change on their generation, emphasizing that it should be a collective responsibility.

How do children feel when their concerns about climate change are dismissed?

Many children feel angry and frustrated when they are dismissed or ignored when trying to talk about climate change.

What advice is given to adults regarding discussions about climate change?

Adults are encouraged to have regular conversations about climate change with children, acknowledging that they don't have all the answers and suggesting they explore the topic together.

What was one of the most worrying statistics mentioned in the script?

One of the most worrying statistics is that 48% of young people felt dismissed or ignored when discussing climate change.

Why do young people feel frustrated when trying to engage in discussions about climate change?

Young people feel frustrated because they believe they have meaningful insights to share, yet they feel that adults do not listen or respect their opinions.

What is suggested as a necessary action for addressing climate change?

It is suggested that immediate actions can be taken today to address climate change, rather than waiting for a larger conversation.