What to Do When Climate Change Feels Unstoppable
Provided by: TED|Published on: May 20, 2022
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Videos
Subjects: Health
Authors: Clover Hogan
Region: Global
Languages: English
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 →
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 →
Synopsis
- 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 Materials
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.
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.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
