According to a UNICEF report this year, almost all children in the world are exposed to some form of climate change. And 1 billion of those children live in countries that have an extremely high-risk of exposure to severe and multiple climate change hazards.

The Concept of Living Things

Explaining climate change might be confusing to a child. But you can simplify things and concepts without diminishing its meaning by using the concept of living things.
As children start to hear climate change from the media they consume, you as their educator is the next best source of information to help explain these terms in a way that their young minds can understand.
While it might be hard for a child to understand that it affects the whole world, you might want to start by pointing out examples of living things in their surroundings. Ask them to observe the general weather during specific months.
Getting them to observe local weather events can give them concrete examples of how climate change can affect daily lives.

Language that Informs, not Frightens

As you explain the concept of climate change using simple concepts and local events, also make sure you use language that is informative rather than worrying.
Assure young children that adults are doing the best they can to ensure the environment they are now living in will remain the same for them and the future generations.
As they start to recognize the effects of climate change such as heavy rains, flooding, and moody weather, you can also point out what the adults are doing to prevent these bad weather events from happening.
You can mention how global organizations like the United Nations gather all countries to make a pledge to stop doing harmful activities. Similarly, also include local efforts in your area to help fight climate change, whether it’s your local junk shop or recycling centers which are doing all they can to positively contribute to a better planet.

Focus on the Solutions, not the Problem

To prevent young children from being bogged down by the problem, ask them for ideas on how they can help fight climate change in their little ways. To help them jumpstart their brainstorming, cite examples such as participating in WWF’s Earth Hour or the use of solar panels, wind, geothermal and other renewable sources of energy throughout the planet.
You can also tell them having reusable water bottles and refusing from using straws are simple acts that can help the planet a lot. With these ideas, children will be challenged to come up with their own that is easy to apply and something they can do themselves.
When children are asked for a solution, they can almost always surprise you with their ingenuity and creativity in crafting simple solutions.