{"id":434895,"date":"2026-03-28T13:33:30","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T12:33:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=434895"},"modified":"2026-03-28T13:33:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T12:33:33","slug":"the-conversation-why-emotional-resilience-should-be-at-the-heart-of-climate-change-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=434895","title":{"rendered":"The Conversation: \u201cWhy emotional resilience should be at the heart of climate change\u00a0education\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From Watts Up With That?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essay by\u00a0<\/strong>Eric Worrall<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the young victims of climate education suffer a nervous breakdown, how can educators \u201ctruly equip young people for life and work in a changing climate\u201d?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Why emotional resilience should be at the heart of climate change\u00a0education<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Published: March 26, 2026 4.01am AEDT
Jessica Newberry Le Vay<\/a>
Senior Researcher in Climate Change and Health, University of Oxford<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mental health effects of climate change are receiving\u00a0growing attention<\/a>, including how children and young people are uniquely affected. Supporting young people to build and sustain good mental health and wellbeing, and to feel prepared for life and work in an uncertain world, has never been more urgent. However, action is still lagging behind need \u2013 including in education.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What surprised me was just how much students spoke of climate denial and disengagement, mental health stigma, and stigma around engaging with climate action. Students highlighted these as barriers to discussion and community building. One said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There seems to be a passive feeling amongst my age cohort and, despite most accepting the truth of climate change, they feel removed and disempowered. This is obviously quite demoralising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The transformational societal changes that the climate crisis demands can only take place by considering the emotions<\/strong>, thoughts and beliefs that\u00a0shape our actions<\/a>, including support to minimise burnout. Our actions, in turn, shape\u00a0our emotions<\/a>\u00a0and can influence our health and wellbeing. Recognising and resourcing these connections in education systems is critical to truly equip young people for life and work in a changing climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026Read more:\u00a0https:\/\/theconversation.com\/why-emotional-resilience-should-be-at-the-heart-of-climate-change-education-275610<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

There is evidence that such \u201cclimate education\u201d is doing real harm;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Aussie Climate Activists are Still Brutalising the Kids<\/a><\/blockquote>