Saturday, 2 Aug 2025
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA
logo logo
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
  • đŸ”„
  • Trump
  • House
  • VIDEO
  • ScienceAlert
  • White
  • Watch
  • Trumps
  • man
  • Health
  • Season
Font ResizerAa
American FocusAmerican Focus
Search
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
Follow US
© 2024 americanfocus.online – All Rights Reserved.
American Focus > Blog > Environment > How Do You Talk to Children about Climate Change? One Book Has a Few Ideas
Environment

How Do You Talk to Children about Climate Change? One Book Has a Few Ideas

Last updated: September 12, 2024 5:41 pm
Share
How Do You Talk to Children about Climate Change? One Book Has a Few Ideas
SHARE

Using Art to Communicate Science to Kids: A Conversation with Dave Schneider and Kira Davis

Science communication is strengthened when we use creative approaches. Art is such a powerful tool for this, especially when communicating to kids.

Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting Dave Schneider, a climate scientist who studies ice sheets and climate systems, work very similar to my own. He recently published a children’s book titled Goodnight Fossil Fuels! that’s specifically about climate change and fossil fuel accountability. The book was co-written and illustrated by environmental educator and artist Kira Davis. It stars a penguin who teams up with scientists to help solve the problem of how fossil fuels are harming the climate system and features colorful watercolor artwork.

I had the opportunity to interview Dave and Kira about their book and the importance of collaborations between scientists and artists to advance science communication.

Dr. Shaina Sadai: Dave, your bio describes you as “a climate scientist, writer and outdoor explorer” with an inner compass that pointed you to writing children’s books. Can you elaborate on that inner compass, and what motivated you to write this book in particular?

Dr. Dave Schneider: There were three things that intersected for me. The first is that a few years ago I was shopping for holiday gifts for my nephews, and I came across a children’s book section in a toy store. I checked out the science books, and there were some interesting titles but literally nothing about climate change. I mean, you would think that if children’s climate books exist, you would find them in Boulder, Colorado, the city with the most climate scientists per capita in the world. I found a few titles, but they were all about as engaging as a textbook. There was nothing that’d grab a kid’s attention like a Dr. Seuss book, and certainly nothing that conveyed that climate change is a serious threat to our kids’ futures. So, I began to think about creating a book of my own. Reading books with my nephews was a way that I connected with them when they were little. I needed this book for bedtime stories, for opening the conversation about climate change and what I study.

See also  Electric School Buses: The Best Choice for Our Kids and Communities

Second, I knew that I would feel guilty if I went through my career and life, knowing that I knew a lot about this problem, but did not communicate it well, did not speak up about it. I felt that I needed to do something a little more visible than what I had done so far.

Third, I am not intrinsically motivated by physics, computer programming, or math. I have a creative side that was not being exercised in my day job. Writing a book was my chance to do something on the side that was creative and fun.

Shaina: The dedication at the start of the book says, “may it help you to envision and build a brighter future without fossil fuels.” Could you talk about how you envision and build a world without fossil fuels in your life and work?

Dave: “Brighter” is the key word there. We need to make everyone aware of the fact that phasing out fossil fuels will be win-win for all but a tiny number of billionaires. The most talked-about steps are on the energy side, where we must build out renewables and electrify everything. It’s also changing how we design our cities, buildings, and transportation systems, and how we grow our food. There are roles for everyone in this transition, whether you are an oil field worker, farmer, or investment banker. It’s an inclusive future with abundant clean energy, healthy soils, clean air and good food. It’s hard to describe, but I’ll know it when I see it. We have no choice but to strive for it.

A collage of images from Goodnight Fossil Fuels! (credit: Shaina Sadai/UCS)

Shaina: Kira, your bio notes your connections to animals, and your dedication at the start is to “the creatures of the Anthropocene, in memory of the Creatures of the Carboniferous.” Your dedication also states, “I wish for this book to heighten awareness and caring towards all living beings sharing this Earth together.” Could you elaborate on your thoughts about our biodiverse world in the Anthropocene?

Kira Davis: We are changing the atmosphere, and the planet is warming to an extent that desertification and warmer temperatures are causing migrations, extinctions, land loss as water levels rise. But even without climate change, the ripping up of the land to mine resources is immense. The transformation of forest and other land into agriculture (and so much to grow animal feed!) is disastrous. The pollution of heavy metals into the water and all kinds of sickening chemicals into the air leaves so many with respiratory diseases. The biodiversity of our planet as we know it is plummeting. So many birds, insects, and plants, are going extinct. But it doesn’t have to be this way. And climate change has become one of the largest factors—if not the largest —that leads to exponentially quickening collapse.

See also  5 ways to get out the vote for climate in the final days before the U.S. presidential election - Grist

Shaina: Without giving away too much plot, there are times in the book when animals and humans work together. How do you think about interspecies relationships and their role in confronting climate change?

Kira: We are all inter-related. There is no escaping that. Shifting toward plant-based diets would have a huge impact. Cycling and walking and taking the bus when one doesn’t ‘need’ to drive can be a very impactful habit to nurture. I have a list of eco-challenges that people have pledged to do for a habit-forming month. All of these are ways to shift our roles away from fear or autopilot and toward stewardship.

Shaina: What role can collaborations between artists and scientists play in addressing climate change?

Dave: One of the biggest barriers to climate action is communication. Art is one of humanity’s most effective methods of communicating. Climate scientists are often blamed for being poor communicators, which we often are, but that critique is missing the point that we have very little support for communicating. We’re up against the richest industry in the history of the world, which has unlimited resources for marketing, lobbying, and public relations. Collaborations between independent artists and scientists are essential for constructing positive narratives about climate action that are consistent with the science. This book is just one little thing that will work for a niche audience. But there are so many other audiences to reach; I hope more scientists and artists will collaborate and find creative, effective ways to communicate.

Kira: Creating illustrations for environmental education is fun, meaningful, and exciting. I love thinking about how to illustrate an idea and molding it to my audience—in this case, kids!

See also  Earth911 Podcast: URB-E's Charles Jolley Wants to Electrify Local Delivery

TAGGED:BookChangeChildrenClimateIdeasTalk
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Mega El Niños may have played a part in the Permian mass extinction Mega El Niños may have played a part in the Permian mass extinction
Next Article Influx of wild-driving Haitian migrants turning streets of Springfield, Ohio into combat zone Influx of wild-driving Haitian migrants turning streets of Springfield, Ohio into combat zone
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Posts

Lisa Kudrow, Parker Posey on ‘The White Lotus,’ ‘Friends’ and More

Parker Posey and Lisa Kudrow, two iconic actresses known for their work in independent films…

June 6, 2025

Teen charged with shooting San Francisco 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall says he is very sorry

The recent incident involving the attempted murder of San Francisco 49ers player Ricky Pearsall has…

September 8, 2024

Michael C Hall Back as Dexter Morgan

Dexter Morgan Returns in “Dexter: Resurrection” Paramount+ and Showtime have unveiled the first trailer for…

May 31, 2025

101 Short Spring Quotes for Your Letter Board to Welcome This Happy Season

Spring has finally arrived with its blooming flowers, lush greenery, and longer, warmer days. This…

February 26, 2025

In Kerala, Keerthana Kunnath Photographs the Female Bodybuilders Defying Beauty Ideals — Colossal

In the world of bodybuilding, men have traditionally dominated the sport. However, in India, a…

January 17, 2025

You Might Also Like

The New Scientist Book Club’s verdict on Lake of Darkness by Adam Roberts: A mixed bag
Tech and Science

The New Scientist Book Club’s verdict on Lake of Darkness by Adam Roberts: A mixed bag

August 2, 2025
Hundreds of old EV batteries have new jobs in Texas: Stabilizing the grid
Environment

Hundreds of old EV batteries have new jobs in Texas: Stabilizing the grid

August 2, 2025
Texas lawmakers grill Kerr County officials as flood recovery plods on
Environment

Texas lawmakers grill Kerr County officials as flood recovery plods on

August 1, 2025
Can protecting nature be nonpartisan?
Environment

Can protecting nature be nonpartisan?

August 1, 2025
logo logo
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


Explore global affairs, political insights, and linguistic origins. Stay informed with our comprehensive coverage of world news, politics, and Lifestyle.

Top Categories
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Sports
  • Tech and Science
Usefull Links
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA

© 2024 americanfocus.online –  All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?