Our programmes focus on environmental stewardship and climate action in the following key areas;

  • Climate Smart Agriculture
  • Tree Planting
  • Recycling Programs
  • Conferences and Trainings
  • Art  & Visual Competitions
  • Birthday Campaigns
  • Advocacy and Campaigns

Climate Smart Agriculture for Kids

The future of our planet is in the hands of our children. It’s up to us to ensure we give them the right tools to make them succeed.

Climate smart agriculture is the practice of crop farming and animal rearing that is sustainable, increases yields, reduces greenhouse gas emission and enables our country to achieve national food security.

 Your children may have questions about the changing climate. Many are hearing about or experiencing climate-change-fueled disasters such as floods and global warming. Let us guide your child in learning and understanding the current global crisis of climate change:

Email: learning@climatesmartchildren.org

While the climate crisis can feel like an overwhelming topic, there are healthy ways to talk with kids about it. We can communicate in a way that is honest, hopeful, developmentally appropriate, and action oriented. By helping kids understand the issue of climate change and how it affects their health and futures, we empower them to make a difference.

Activities

Begin explaining concepts behind climate change in simple scientific terms. Ask what they know and fill in blanks or research it together. CSIC has online resources to help parents go through each aspect of climate change.

  • Nature walks. Take walks to show how weather affects nature. Talk about how weather makes the seasons. You can point out bird nests, for example, and talk about how weather influences when and where birds make their nests. Talk about other wild animals and discuss how they all have homes that need protecting.
  • Gardening. Pick out fruit, vegetable, or flower seeds to plant in your garden, or herbs to plant in kitchen boxes. Young children can help take care of plants, and get excited seeing something grow from nothing. Talk about how your child needs air to breathe and so do plants and animals. When pollutants get in the air, that affects their health.
  • Local focus. Point out local effects of climate change depending on your location. Some areas may be more prone to  floods, while others may experience longer and more intense heat waves or an increase in illness from mosquitoes.
  • Make it practical. You have discussions with children on for example how to calculate their carbon footprint and provide tips and ideas on how they can reduce it, through activities such as;

Turn lights off after leaving the room.

Sorting waste

Explain how people – including kids – can be powerful forces in protecting the environment. Point out that choices we make can help make our planet, and people, healthier.

Relate to recent events

Pick a recent or ongoing event and discuss how climate change might have contributed to the event and its the economic effects. For example:

  • Talk about how climate change is causing longer and more severe wildfires in California, resulting in the loss of homes and businesses. Discuss how it is also causing air pollution that forces people indoors. Consider the mental health effects all of this can have on families.
  • Explore how climate change doesn’t affect everyone equally, and the ways some communities experience more health risks. Discuss how everyone should have an equal opportunity to clean air and water.

Take action

Encourage your teen to come up with solutions and creative ways to express their ideas. Examples include:

  • Use a science class presentation or a school, Scouts, 4-H or other project to educate peers about the need for climate change solutions.
  • Form a club at school with other interested classmates and brainstorm how to help your local community.
  • Write for local or state newspaper about why teens care about the climate.
  • Join a national youth advocacy organization for more inspiration.
  • Work together to make changes at home, incorporating your teen’s ideas. Participate in advocacy as a family.

Be a role model

Think about ways you can advocate for a healthier environment for children.

  • Ask your school district to incorporate a climate curriculum
  • Share news of great climate advocacy work with your family
  • Reach out to local, state and federal legislators with your family to encourage climate action

Youth leadership

Kids are the next generation of innovators and thinkers. Youth leadership is already making a huge difference. If we nurture a love for the environment early, children may just come up with the best solutions. Don’t be surprised if they teach you something, too, along the way.