Parents Gather to Express Concerns and Emotions about Climate Change

A group of concerned parents recently gathered at the Montshire Museum in Norwich, Vermont, for a series of conversations about raising children in a warming climate. The event, known as a climate café, aimed to provide a safe space for parents to discuss their thoughts and emotions about climate change without feeling pressured to take immediate action.

Recognizing the Emotional Impact of Climate Change

Many parents who attended the climate café expressed their deep concerns about the future and the effects of climate change on their children’s lives. Maria Finnegan, who works for the New Hampshire Childrens’ Trust, spoke about the weight she feels as a parent, worrying about her son’s ability to experience snowy winters in the future.

Elizabeth Bechard, a senior policy analyst with Moms Clean Air Force, highlighted the emotional distress that parents often face when discussing climate change with their children. She emphasized the importance of parents processing their own emotions first, as a crucial step towards engaging in productive conversations with their kids.

A Safe Space for Conversations

The climate café offered parents an opportunity to discuss a wide range of climate-related issues, including the changing outdoor spaces they want to share with their children and the daily consumer choices they make in balancing convenience and environmental sustainability.

Building Resilience and Support

Bechard stressed the immense task parents face in helping their children cope with the disruptions and threats caused by climate change. In addition to the overwhelming responsibilities of parenting and the burnout from the pandemic, parents need support and spaces like climate cafés to build emotional resilience and foster adaptation.

A Sense of Hope for Future Generations

For some parents, like Jenn Alford-Teaster, having a child was an act of hope in the face of climate change. Alford-Teaster, a public health scientist, emphasized the importance of maintaining open conversations about climate change and avoiding feelings of helplessness. She hopes her daughter will feel empowered to play a role in addressing climate change and find a sense of pride in making a positive impact.

Continuing the Conversation

The climate cafés organized by the advocacy group New Hampshire Healthcare Workers for Climate Action were deemed a success, and more events are planned to be held across the state. These gatherings provide a valuable platform for parents to come together, share their concerns, and find support in navigating the challenges posed by climate change.