{"id":282661,"date":"2023-03-11T14:47:44","date_gmt":"2023-03-11T14:47:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.natgeokids.com\/uk\/?post_type=parent-hub&p=173573"},"modified":"2025-11-06T16:42:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T16:42:08","slug":"eco-anxiety-guide-for-parents","status":"publish","type":"parents","link":"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/au\/parents\/eco-anxiety-guide-for-parents\/","title":{"rendered":"Eco-anxiety: what is it and how can parents help?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chronic worry about the effects of climate change<\/a>, known as ‘eco-anxiety’, is a growing threat among young people. So, what can parents do to help? We find out…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is eco-anxiety?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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In recent years, more and more people – including kids – have experienced eco-anxiety. Described as extreme and persistent worry about current and future harm to the environment due to climate change, this condition can cause not only emotional distress, but also panic attacks, lack of focus, and feelings of hopelessness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many ways, mild eco-anxiety can seem a normal <\/em>way to feel about the current situation, and these fears often stem from a deep love and care for the natural world. But a survey of child psychologists <\/a>suggested that more than half were seeing children and young people who expressed distress, fear and worry about the state of the environment. So, it’s important to recognise these worries and help kids manage their feelings safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What can I do to help?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Give perspective<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It’s easy to become overwhelmed when thinking about climate change. From increased extreme weather<\/a> to the melting ice caps, increased droughts, and animal extinctions, the issues can quickly snowball. So it’s important to maintain some perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your child’s worry is that ‘everything will burn up’ or ‘all the animals will die’, you can explain that these things aren’t true – or aren’t coming true soon. (Use our climate change explainer to help.<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More likely, your local area will experience hotter summers or increased rainfall. These precise facts can help ground kids, preventing fears from becoming overwhelming.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Try to pivot away from scary thoughts and towards what positive actions are already happening. If your child is interested, you can help your local wildlife, adopt an animal from their favourite species or join a local environmental group to start making a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take action<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No one is going to solve climate change alone – but small positive actions by individual people do matter. So, combat feelings of guilt or hopelessness by showing kids they can <\/em>make a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some ideas to get you started…<\/p>\n\n\n\n