Over a pizza with other early career polar scientists at the European Geosciences Union Annual Meeting in Vienna, Rhian and I talked about how difficult it is to conduct outreach to children about climate change. We tell schoolchildren about climate change, how life will be different on a warmer planet and the humungous task we have in front of us to change and "save" ourselves. It’s difficult not to leave them in despair. As Rhian pointed out, some of the children have said, “Yes, we can bike to school, but it’s not going to change anything - the school bus is still going to drive past us!”

Local Viennese beer brewed a brainstorming session on how to empower children in the face of climate change. Here are some ideas that we would like to share with you:


THE LONG TERM VIEW
We can tell children that they need to learn more about climate change and be ready to make profound changes to the society in 10 year’s time when they become adults and enter into the workforce. If we can make a concerted effort to change the society’s habits in using energy in one generation, then maybe there is a chance that we can limit climate change to a level that is manageable and bearable.


IMMEDIATE ACTION
But we don’t have 10 years to sit and wait. In 40 years, warming could reach such a level (2-3 degrees C) that a large part of the word’s coral reefs and Amazon forests could disappear. Polar bears could go extinct.

There are many things that children can already do now. They are, after all, the little kings. There are the simple things: walk, run, bike; reduce, reuse, recycle. If they want something more exciting, more subversive: Don't ask for a energy consuming present at birthdays, plant a tree instead. We can also tell children: Talk to your friends, your family, your teachers about climate change. Challenge them about their habits. If your parents are buying a SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle), ask them why. If they drive to buy bread, ask them why. If they leave the heating / air conditioning on, and the door open, ask them why. Tell them that it's your future that they are messing up.