It is the next generation, and the ones after that, that will have to live with the worst consequences of global warming, and it is therefore the duty of today’s adults to be completely straightforward and honest when it comes to telling today’s children about what they are likely to face.
There is a statistic that claims that one in seven British
children hold their parents personally responsible – at least in part – for
global warming. Perhaps the surprising thing is that the proportion is not even
greater than that!
The important thing is for parents to have a good
understanding themselves of all the issues, so that they can discuss them
sensibly with their children and put everything they bring up into its proper
context.
Perhaps the best thing a parent can encourage in their
children is the need to examine not only the evidence but also the sources of
that evidence. There is an awful lot of
misinformation about that is shoved out by people with personal agendas, or who
are sponsored by organisations (such as fossil fuel companies) that have a
vested interest in the world not taking climate change seriously.
It is no wonder that young people get confused. A parent can
do a lot to dispel that confusion – just as long as they are not confused
themselves!
© John Welford
I like this blog. I think we should support the views of children and young people on climate. Too often supposed wiser heads cut their view off and declare them 'naive'.
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