Teachers adapt to address emotional impacts of climate change

Educators are increasingly focusing on trauma-sensitive approaches to help students manage the emotional effects of climate change.

Nathalie Reid, Audrey Aamodt, and Jennifer MacDonald write for The Conversation.


In short:

  • Teachers are noticing rising climate anxiety among students and are adopting trauma-sensitive methods to support them.
  • Professional development for educators includes outdoor learning, interdisciplinary inquiry, and balanced climate action strategies.
  • Sharing hopeful stories and focusing on community-led climate initiatives helps nurture a forward-looking mindset.

Why this matters:

Climate change education that acknowledges and addresses students' emotional responses can foster resilience and hope. As young people face an uncertain future, equipping them with strategies to cope with climate trauma is essential for their mental health and engagement in meaningful climate action.

Pump-jack mining crude oil against the sunset

Fuel on the fire: Why oil companies are profiting as the world gets dangerously hot

The scientific consensus is that burning fossil fuels drives the climate crisis, yet the world’s biggest oil companies are planning to increase production.

President Trump smiling while displaying a recently signed executive order

Trump wants to fast track AI

There are plans for more than 70 gas-fired power plants across the U.S. to privately serve data centers.

Rendered illustration depicting global networks, information transport, and digitization

Data centers use more power in the US than in any other country

Last year, nearly 40% of all power demand from global data centers came from facilities based in America, per a new report.
A closeup of the Enbridge logo on a website

Canadian Gas CEOs are hyping AI data centers to investors as a lifeline for their industry

Investor call transcripts show that gas companies see the data center build-out as their next growth sector, even as the energy transition accelerates.

Single pipeline stretching across seemingly pristine northern terrain through green meadows and stands of conifers.

Alberta's new pipeline deal could allow Canadian oil to reach new countries. But will they want it?

Energy and environmental organizations are reacting with alarm to the new Canada-Alberta deal to build a new oil pipeline to the West Coast, questioning whether new buyers can be found for the oil that may eventually flow through the pipelines.
A row of wind turbines in the ocean with dark storm clouds in the distance

As Trump buyouts shake offshore wind industry, states hope developers stay in the game

Donald Trump has shown the immense power of the executive branch to stymie offshore wind development, as nearly all projects are in waters where federal agencies operate as the landlord.

An aerial view of the Hoover Dam

Rural Nevada counties especially vulnerable to Hoover Dam hydropower decline

As reservoirs continue to drop toward dire levels, rural communities that depend on Hoover Dam’s low-cost electricity are facing a precipice.

From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.