Hi, This topic hits close to home for me. I'm a mom of three kids who play outdoor sports in Texas, and I'd be happy to share our perspective. For Parents: My kids don't always say "climate change" — but they notice. They get sick from the heat. They feel bad after practice. They know kids have died playing sports in the heat. That's not abstract — that's real to them. I try to be honest with them. I don't minimize it or pretend it's not happening. But I also try to show them that people are working on it — and that they can be part of the solution. We talk about what's in our control and what's not. I actually started a company because of this. Last summer I got sick sitting in the stands at my son's football game — 107 degrees — and I couldn't stop thinking about the kids on the field. That question led me to start HeatSense, a company that monitors heat strain in athletes in real time. My kids have seen me turn worry into action, and I think that's helped them feel less helpless. For Teens (from my son): I know more about heat than most kids because of my mom's company. I know that heat strain is invisible — you can't see it until it's too late. I know kids have died playing sports in the heat. That's scary. But I also know more about what to look for and what to do about it, which helps. Yes — I've felt sick after practice. I've had games moved because it's too hot. It's not some future problem. It's happening now. It helps that my mom is doing something about it. I've seen her build this company from our kitchen table. It makes me feel like you don't just have to worry — you can actually try to fix things. Happy to connect if this is helpful for your story. Melissa
I represent auroracodental.com. Below you can find the commentary of Dr. Tom Hardenbergh. Their commentary: I see this relationship between worrying and teeth more than people anticipate. Teens worrying about big things, like climate change, shows up in their teeth. I'm seeing more grinding and clenching of teeth, and even more cavities from stress eating or not taking care of their teeth because of stress. I have a 16-year-old daughter, and I noticed that she was having trouble sleeping because of all the doom-scrolling about climate change. She was staying up late at night reading about how the ice caps were melting and how bad it was. I could see how overwhelmed she was by how big of an issue it was. The solution was getting her involved in some big actions. We started composting, and she got involved with some environmental clubs at school. We also went more often on hikes so that she could feel more connected with nature and what she wanted to save. The solution was getting her involved and feeling more in control instead of helpless. I tell parents of teens that one of the things you should look for is how their teen is taking care of their teeth. Are they grinding their teeth at night? Do they complain of jaw pain? This could be an indication of how big of an issue is going on at work. Talking to your teen about their worries and finding ways for them to take action and make positive changes helps turn anxiety into purpose. Dr. Tom Hardenbergh is a general and cosmetic dentist with over ten years of experience and is passionate about the relationship between oral health and overall wellness. auroracodental.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meadow-hills-dental-dr-thomas-hardenbergh-aa5b7127b/
As the founder of NRG, I build the industrial and pharmaceutical facilities currently transitioning toward high-efficiency, sustainable systems. My teen sees this technical shift firsthand, which replaces general climate dread with a concrete understanding of how infrastructure is actually evolving to meet these challenges. When my teen expresses worry, I use our company principle of "ownership" to turn anxiety into action, such as installing a **Sense Energy Monitor** to track and reduce our home's real-time carbon footprint. We treat environmental concerns like a pre-construction plan, focusing on clear data and proactive problem-solving to manage future risks rather than just fearing them. Climate change impacts my professional world through tighter regulations and more frequent weather-related site delays, teaching my teen that flexibility is a required survival skill. By sharing the specific energy-efficient upgrades we implement in medical and manufacturing projects, I show them that the industry status quo is being actively dismantled by disciplined, accountable work.
Director of Operations at Eaton Well Drilling and Pump Service
Answered 2 months ago
I help my children manage environmental anxiety by bringing them onto job sites to see how our family's 70-year-old business actively protects the local groundwater they will one day inherit. Showing them the tangible work behind clean water access transforms their abstract fears into a sense of purpose and stewardship. When they worry about rising energy costs or extreme heat, we discuss how our geothermal systems tap into a constant 50degF to 60degF temperature underground to provide reliable, renewable cooling. I explain that these systems can reduce a building's heating energy use by up to 70%, which replaces fear with the data-backed reality of sustainable technology. We tackle the feeling of helplessness by focusing on long-term investments like Eaton Well & Pump's geothermal loops, which have a lifespan of over 50 years. Engaging them in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions gives them a concrete way to contribute to a cleaner future for their own generation.
Teens today often express climate anxiety in ways that are less about abstract environmental concepts and more about personal stability, including fears around safety, future careers, and whether the world they are preparing for will remain livable, and parents tend to notice this through subtle behavioral shifts such as withdrawal, irritability, or increased questioning about the future rather than direct statements of fear. In practice, the most effective parental response is not to immediately reassure or dismiss but to create space for open conversation, acknowledge uncertainty honestly, and anchor discussions in what is within the teen's sphere of influence, which helps restore a sense of agency. Encouraging involvement in tangible activities such as local clean ups, school initiatives, or community advocacy can be especially grounding because it converts passive worry into active participation, which is psychologically protective. Teens themselves often describe their concern as a background stress that intensifies during visible events like extreme heat or severe weather disruptions, and while many do talk to their parents, the quality of response matters more than the frequency, since feeling heard and taken seriously is what reduces distress. "What helps teens most is not being told everything will be fine, but being shown that their concerns are valid and that their actions still matter." Abhishek Bhatia CEO, Pawfurever [https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhatia02/]
Many teens today express anxiety about the long-term impacts of climate change, from extreme weather events to concerns about the future of their communities and careers. These worries can feel overwhelming for both teens and parents if not addressed thoughtfully. Parents can help by initiating open, nonjudgmental conversations that validate their teen's concerns. It's important to listen actively and acknowledge feelings without immediately trying to "fix" them. This creates a safe space for discussion and encourages teens to share more openly. Focusing on actionable steps can help teens feel empowered rather than helpless. Activities like local clean-ups, sustainability projects, or climate advocacy give them a tangible way to contribute and make a difference. Connecting teens with peer groups or organizations working on climate issues also helps them see that their efforts are part of a larger movement. This can reinforce a sense of agency and reduce feelings of isolation or helplessness. Modeling environmentally conscious habits at home and highlighting positive developments in climate action further supports resilience. Combining empathetic listening with opportunities for meaningful action can transform worry into hope and responsibility. Abhishek Bhatia, CEO of ShadowGPS, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhatia02/]