opinion
According to a study, more than half of all children and young people believe that humanity is “doomed” because of climate change. We parents should give encouragement instead of reinforcing the daily horror reports.
From Frank Schmiechen
Greta did it. She wanted us to be scared, yes, panic. Now we’re scared. Especially children and teenagers. A global study has shown that the majority of 16 to 25 year olds are tormented by massive fears about the future. Because of climate change. 56 percent believe that humanity is “doomed”. 45 percent say their daily life is influenced by climate change. It hurts my soul.
Young people are not only bombarded with horror scenarios every day by the media. Many parents also spread panic. I write to an old friend on Twitter: “I hope you don’t tell your children that the world is going to end.” He writes back: “Yes. … And I explain to him who is currently the reason for it.”
The world will not end
Here is the good news for my and all other children and young people.
The world will not end any time soon. Germany will not be uninhabitable. My children’s children and their children will also be able to play outside at lunchtime. Yes, the climate will change. But man is an intelligent being. He can adjust to changed conditions. Life as a whole is a wonderful adjustment machine.
Climate change: We can mitigate the effects
In Germany we have an average annual temperature of around 10 degrees Celsius. Climate change also has consequences for our country. Exactly what these are is currently being researched. The Federal Environment Agency is currently assuming that the average temperature in Germany will increase by one to five degrees by 2100. It would then be 11 to 15 degrees. We will not die of heat death in Germany.
We can mitigate the effects of climate change. There are many options that can make floods, extreme weather, or heat waves less terrifying. Humans already have the consequences of these natural phenomena better under control than before. The consequences are less serious because we are better prepared and have modern technical aids.
Encourage children to come up with ideas for a better future
Our economy needs to get smarter. No question. Just as it has been continuously modernized over the past 100 years. We also urgently need to work on a gentler energy supply. I am sure that we can accomplish these transformations smartly and quickly if we do not fall into paralysis. Our economic system ensures that the smartest idea wins in the end. The best example of this is the company Biontech, which has succeeded in developing a vaccine against Covid in record time.
We should encourage our children and young people to contribute their ideas for a better future, to vigorously go their own way. Don’t hide anything. But encourage. The most important step is education. The more you know, the better we will be in the future. We parents need to take fear off our children’s shoulders. Also the fear of the pandemic. You should think and live freely. Yes there are problems in the world. We realized that it was serious. But fear is not a good advisor. We parents have to give encouragement.
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
