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Raising Eco-Warriors: Explaining the Greenhouse Effect to Kids
Want to raise your kids to be eco-warriors? Start by explaining global warming and why it’s important for everyone to protect the planet.
Concepts like the “greenhouse effect” can be hard for kids to understand. Learn how to explain them with simple, age-appropriate resources (they’re free; you just need good internet!) and inspire the whole family to embrace green living together.
Little Tots: Inspire Them to Protect the Planet
Gardening helps preschoolers learn how to take care of living things and want to become an eco-warrior.
Though they’re too young to understand abstract concepts like climate change, preschoolers are naturally curious about the world around them. It’s the perfect age to instill a love for our planet.
Start with this simple message: “The world is full of amazing animals and plants! We can take care of them in many ways.”
1. Help them understand the Earth’s atmosphere.
Explain that living things need sunlight and air to grow. The Earth’s atmosphere is like a blanket that traps the sun’s heat and the oxygen we need to breathe.
2. Give activities that show how heat affects living things.
Ask kids what they think will happen if the Earth becomes too warm or too cold. These activities can help them see the difference between a “normal” greenhouse effect and global warming.
- Make a simple greenhouse in a few minutes. This easy activity shows kids how they can grow beans with cotton and a plastic bag.
- Play the blanket game. Have your child lie down and pretend they’re the Earth. Cover them with one blanket, then keep adding extra layers until they feel too warm. Explain: “Some things like pollution make the Earth trap more heat. When that happens, living things might get sick.”
3. Get them involved in eco-friendly activities.
Rather than dwelling on the negative effects of greenhouse gases, find simple and concrete ways for kids to protect the planet. They can sort plastic and paper for recycling or help with the garden.
Explain why these can help. For example, “Plants clean the air and help cool down the Earth.”
4. Give eco-friendly actions a thumbs-up.
Praise reinforces positive habits. Look for ways to “catch your kids while they’re doing something good.” Did they turn off the lights without being told? Say: “Thank you for saving electricity! It saves money and is good for the planet.” This makes them feel they’re making a difference.
Bigger Kids: Relate Science to Real Life
Family activities like donation drives can spark conversations on how recycling can prevent greenhouse gases and climate change.
At this age, kids can understand detailed explanations. They may already be studying related topics like weather and climate change in school.
The challenge is to make the concepts more relevant or easy to understand.
1. Share videos or other materials on the greenhouse effect.
These educational materials can help explain how the greenhouse effect happens and the sources of greenhouse gases.
- The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge: In this popular book, Ms. Frizzle and her class travel to the Arctic to see melting ice caps, dive into the ocean to learn about rising sea levels, and more. Along the way, they learn how simple actions can reduce greenhouse gases and climate change. (Available on Amazon, from $6.19 or ₱368.)
- Climate Kids by NASA: The website has educational videos, games like “Meet the Greenhouse Gases,” and interviews with people who help fight climate change.
- National Geographic: Aside from explaining basic concepts, this website has several articles that show how global warming affects animals, plants, water supply, and more.
- Climate Basics for Kids: Run by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, the website offers simple, fact-filled information that’s perfect for school research projects.
2. Talk about the personal impact of climate change.
Use current events like typhoons or personal experiences to start conversations on the impact of the greenhouse effect on everyday life. For example, talk about how heavy floods affect your city, or how hot summers cause droughts and food shortages.
3. Brainstorm on how your family can be eco-warriors.
Ask kids to make a list of things that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Then, as a family, think about changes you can make together to help protect the planet.
Involving kids in brainstorming—rather than telling them what to do—helps them feel invested and empowered.
Use the “My Little Plastic Footprint” app to track your family’s eco-efforts! You can monitor plastic use, join challenges for reducing waste, and get tips for greener living. It’s available on the App Store and Google Play.
Teens: Encourage Advocacy
Joining activities like ocean clean-up help teens feel like they’re part of a community of eco-warriors.
Teens are ready for more complex discussions about greenhouse gases. Aside from the “science,” they can see the social perspective: how communities, industries, and governments must work together to fight climate change.
Help teens see that they can be a powerful voice in a global movement.
1. Participate in community activities.
Encourage teens to join local activities like ocean clean-ups, tree-planting, recycling programs, or GCash’s GForest.
These activities can make them feel like they’re part of a collective effort to protect the planet.
2. Inspire them to be a voice for change.
Encourage teens to use Instagram, TikTok, and other social media channels to raise awareness. They can be inspired by other young eco-warriors from around the world.
For example, Leah Namugerwa, a youth activist from Uganda, started by asking people to help her plant 200 trees in time for her fifteenth birthday. This eventually led to the Birthday Trees project and other environmental campaigns.
Teens can also choose environmental themes for homework like science fairs or art projects. This helps them deepen their knowledge of climate change and advocate among their peers.
Yza Palma was only 19 years old when she invented a prototype for a “green aircon” for her high school senior science project. TESDA students also came up with a plastic shredder —an innovation that can help solve the Philippines’ plastic waste disposal problem.
3. Nurture critical thinking.
Teach teens to follow credible news sources, documentaries, and books about climate change. Aside from building media literacy, it helps them make informed choices.
Talking to kids about the greenhouse effect doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Tailor your approach to their age, use relatable examples, and nurture eco-friendly habits.
Use GFiber Prepaid or GFiber Postpaid to access kid-friendly learning materials or find ways your family can embrace a more sustainable lifestyle. Together, Filipino parents can raise the next generation to become informed and passionate stewards of our planet.