What to Do When Climate Change Feels Unstoppable
Videos
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Health
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by TED
What it is
- In this TED Talk, Clover Hogan discusses how the vastness and complexity of climate change can lead people to anxiety and denial instead of action.
- Hogan describes her struggle and journey to confront her eco-anxiety and offers some helpful advice for others experiencing the same.
Teaching tips
Positives
- Many children, teens, and young adults experience eco-anxiety or mental health crises from learning about climate change. This resource is a great way for students to realize that they are not alone, and there are solutions to combat this feeling.
- The speaker emphasizes that we should focus on one thing that we can control: our mindset. She offers a solution by suggesting we confront the stories we tell ourselves that are holding us back from taking action.
- Subtitles and a translated transcript are available in 12 languages.
Additional Prerequisites
- Before viewing, consider asking students to share if they have ever felt overwhelmed or anxious about climate change.
Differentiation
- After watching the video, encourage students to write down their own stories that are paralyzing them and challenge them to come up with a personal action that will make a difference.
- Life skills or advisory classes could discuss the role that mindset plays in making someone an active participant or a passive observer.
- Other resources related to this topic include this video about coping with climate anxiety and this eco-health relationship browser.
From the scientist review
This 13-minute TEDx talk explores aspects of mental health in relationship with climate and environmental disaster. The speaker gives personal examples of times she felt fear, anger, despair, and helplessness, and discusses how these emotions are legitimate and how they can be used to understand and address societal issues related to the environment. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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