Those teaching about climate change and sustainability report that students learning about these topics often feel disheartened, anxious and helpless. Researchers at Lund University together with international experts have co-created a set of exercises designed to give teachers and students tools to transform climate-related stress and anxiety into action and hope.
"We have noticed that many of our students are unsure how to respond to climate change related facts. They often feel overwhelmed witnessing the ever more extreme weather, the hurt and loss of living beings and the slow societal response," says Bernadett Kiss, lecturer and researcher on climate change at the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics at Lund University. Together with experts in pedagogy, arts and child psychology, she has developed exercises for sustainability educators.
She personally begins many of her seminars with a short check-in exercise designed to encourage students to reflect on how they are feeling at that particular moment. The exercise is repeated at the end of the seminar. Students are invited to share their emotions, but it is not compulsory, important that it is an invitation.
"It's a short activity that helps students come to terms with their emotions. By acknowledging and naming what you're feeling, rather than suppressing it, you can begin processing your emotions and formulating a response to challenging situations," says Bernadett Kiss.
Designed for young people of all ages
The toolbox is suitable for children and young people aged between 6 and 26 and can be used across various subjects and areas of education. Exercises range from short, five-minute breathing exercises to week-long activities which connect students with people from different generations for shared learning. Other exercises include physical activity to ease climate-related stress, journalling to express emotions, supporting local ecosystems, and exploring alternative futures through art.
"Our aim was to develop exercises that help students engage with both the consequences and causes of the climate crisis. For example, through self-reflection and a deeper connection to oneself, others, and nature, difficult emotions can be transformed into a sense of purpose and a drive to take action," says Christine Wamsler, a professor at the Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS), who also developed the toolbox.
The ultimate aim is therefore not only for students to develop their ability to cope with climate anxiety, but also to foster active and sustainable engagement. The exercises are designed to help students develop skills such as empathy, critical thinking, collaboration, self-reflection, humility, systems thinking and resilience.
Mind, heart and hands to tackle today's crises
Several of the exercises have already been tested in Sweden, Hungary, Germany, Norway and Ukraine, for example. Feedback from both teachers and students has been very positive. It particularly emphasises importance of not only focusing on knowledge, but also on nurturing students' emotional well-being and relational competencies.
"For too long, education has prioritised cognitive, intellectual and professional knowledge, but there is now growing recognition that we have to bring together our minds, hearts and hands in order to navigate today's complex crises," says Christine Wamsler.
Explore the exercises
Explore the exercises in Swedish (PDF) - CLARITY's website
Explore the exercises in English (PDF) - CLARITY's website
The project has also produced a teacher's guide explaining how the exercises are to be used.
