Parenting in a Climate Crisis A Handbook for Turning Fear into Action

In this urgent parenting guide, learn how to navigate the uncertainty of the climate crisis and keep your kids informed, accountable, and hopeful–with simple actions you can take as a family to help the earth.

Kids today are experiencing the climate crisis firsthand. Camp canceled because of wildfire smoke. Favorite beaches closed due to erosion. Recess held indoors due to extreme heat. How do parents help their children make sense of it all? And how can we keep our kids (and ourselves) from despair? 

Environmental journalist and parent Bridget Shirvell has created a handbook for parents to help them navigate these questions and more, weaving together expert advice from climate scientists, environmental activists, child psychologists, and parents across the country. She helps parents answer tough questions (how did we get here?) and raise kids who feel connected to and responsible for the natural world, feel motivated to make ecologically sound choices, and feel empowered to meet the challenges of the climate crisis—and to ultimately fight for change.

Bridget Shirvell reports on the environment, food systems, and parenting. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Teen Vogue,  PureWow, Edible Manhattan, La Cucina Italiana, Condé Nast Traveler, HuffPost, The Latin Kitchen, and VICE, among others. 

Introduction

Part 1 - Feel
Talk 
Grief

Part 2 - Love
Nature
Animals
Curiosity

Part 3 - Build
Problem-solving
Food
Consumerism

Part 4 - Act
Education
Community
Activism
Conclusion

Notes and Further Reading