Off the Radar: Science Moms Pt. 1 – Navigating Climate Talks with Our Kids
Host: Emily Gracey
Guest: Dr. Melissa Burt, Science Mom and Climate Scientist
Release Date: September 24, 2024
In the inaugural part of the "Science Moms" series on Off the Radar, National Weather Desk Meteorologist Emily Gracey engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Melissa Burt. Together, they explore the delicate balance of educating children about climate change without overwhelming them, bridging the roles of parent and scientist to foster a generation that is both informed and hopeful.
Introduction to Science Moms
Emily Gracey opens the episode by highlighting the rapid shifts in Earth's climate, emphasizing the emotional burden these changes place on both parents and children. Recognizing that children inherit not just the environment but also their parents’ anxieties, Gracey introduces Dr. Melissa Burt as a pivotal figure in navigating these conversations.
“Kids are smarter than we give them credit for. They recognize problems, they're curious about our world.”
(00:56) – Emily Gracey
Dr. Burt elaborates on Science Moms, a collective of climate scientist mothers dedicated to empowering other mothers with the knowledge and tools to discuss climate change effectively with their children. Initiated in 2020 by six passionate women, the group leverages various platforms—including podcasts, media appearances, and interactive sessions—to demystify climate science and encourage proactive engagement.
“We owe this to our kids and our grandkids and our great grandkids so that they know that we were doing the things necessary in order to turn this situation around.”
(01:42) – Dr. Melissa Burt
Communicating Climate Change to Children
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around strategies for introducing climate change to children of different ages. Dr. Burt emphasizes starting early by fostering an appreciation for nature through activities like walks and hands-on experiences, gradually introducing concepts like pollution and environmental stewardship.
“We have a responsibility to protect our planet and getting them even at this early age to think about what can you do as a family in that way.”
(27:05) – Dr. Melissa Burt
Health Impacts of Climate Change on Children
Dr. Burt outlines the direct and indirect health risks climate change poses to children, such as increased temperatures leading to heat-related illnesses, more severe weather events, and deteriorating air quality exacerbating respiratory conditions.
“Increased smoke and like sort of that inhaling of that has really big health impacts.”
(11:37) – Dr. Melissa Burt
Tracking and Monitoring Climate Change
Addressing skepticism, Dr. Burt explains the multifaceted efforts involved in tracking climate change, from government agencies like NOAA to private sector initiatives. She reassures listeners about the robust, ongoing nature of climate monitoring.
“There's a diverse spectrum of individuals and organizations that are responsible for that tracking and that monitoring.”
(14:30) – Dr. Melissa Burt
Economic Implications for Families
The conversation shifts to the financial ramifications of climate change on households. Dr. Burt discusses rising energy costs due to increased reliance on heating and cooling, suggesting practical solutions like heat pumps and energy-efficient appliances that can mitigate expenses and qualify for tax incentives.
“Swapping out polluting stuff for some clean things. All of that helps you save money.”
(15:22) – Dr. Melissa Burt
Food Choices and Climate Change
Dr. Burt explores how climate change affects food systems, including altered growing seasons and the impact on seafood populations. She touches upon the environmental footprint of different meats, encouraging thoughtful dietary choices without imposing strict mandates.
“We understand that these individual actions aren't the only things that need to happen to have a greater impact on climate change.”
(18:18) – Dr. Melissa Burt
Empowering Individual Action
To combat feelings of helplessness, Dr. Burt offers actionable advice for individuals. She advocates for energy conservation, adopting sustainable practices at home, and actively sharing climate information within communities to foster collective action.
“Share trustworthy science backed content... Even just small conversations like that in your community are really helpful.”
(19:30) – Dr. Melissa Burt
Navigating Conversations with Skeptics
Addressing the challenge of discussing climate change with skeptics, Dr. Burt recommends connecting on shared values and interests. By relating climate issues to personal passions, such as fishing or parenting, conversations become more relatable and less confrontational.
“Getting to know the individual, to see about something that they truly care about.”
(24:49) – Dr. Melissa Burt
Sea Level Rise and Timeframes
Dr. Burt clarifies misconceptions about the immediacy of sea-level rise, using Charleston’s James Island as an example. She explains that while sea levels are rising, the timeline for significant submergence is longer than feared, stressing the importance of mitigation and adaptation strategies currently underway.
“Cities all across the US... flood barriers for when storms do come through.”
(25:24) – *Dr. Melissa Burt
Introducing Climate Change to Young Children
Emphasizing the importance of age-appropriate education, Dr. Burt suggests tools like children's books and interactive activities to introduce climate concepts. She highlights resources available on sciencemoms.com, including engaging materials like the Magic School Bus climate change book.
“Read a lot of books... let's read this book together.”
(27:05) – *Dr. Melissa Burt
Eco-Anxiety in Children
Addressing the emotional toll of climate change, Dr. Burt acknowledges eco-anxiety and advises parents to validate their children's feelings while fostering hope through actionable steps. She underscores the importance of demonstrating proactive efforts as a pathway to alleviating fear.
“It's okay to have those feelings if you're scared, if you're anxious about it.”
(31:33) – *Dr. Melissa Burt
Climate Change in School Curriculum
Dr. Burt discusses the inconsistent inclusion of climate science in school curriculums, attributing gaps to political resistance and lack of teacher preparedness. She encourages parents to supplement education through external resources and advocate for comprehensive climate education in schools.
“There are a number of climate change education resources that are online that you could start that conversation.”
(33:20) – *Dr. Melissa Burt
Scientific Consensus on Climate Change
Reiterating the overwhelming scientific agreement, Dr. Burt dispels doubts about climate change by highlighting the 99% consensus among scientists. She simplifies the science, explaining the greenhouse effect and the role of human-induced carbon emissions.
“99% of scientists agree that climate change is happening.”
(37:22) – *Dr. Melissa Burt
The Challenge of Political Action and Hope for the Future
Concluding on an optimistic note, Dr. Burt emphasizes the critical role of political leaders in enacting meaningful climate policies. She encourages listeners to use their voices and votes to advocate for change, maintaining hope that collective efforts can mitigate climate impacts.
“I always have hope... We owe that to them, right?”
(42:26) – *Dr. Melissa Burt
Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps
- Emily Gracey: “Kids are smarter than we give them credit for. They recognize problems, they're curious about our world.” (00:56)
- Dr. Melissa Burt: “We owe this to our kids and our grandkids and our great grandkids so that they know that we were doing the things necessary in order to turn this situation around.” (01:42)
- Dr. Melissa Burt: “Increased smoke and like sort of that inhaling of that has really big health impacts.” (11:37)
- Dr. Melissa Burt: “99% of scientists agree that climate change is happening.” (37:22)
Conclusion and Resources
As the episode wraps up, Dr. Burt directs listeners to sciencemoms.com for additional resources and encourages ongoing dialogue about climate change within families and communities. Emily Gracey previews the next installment of the series, promising stories of everyday heroes making significant environmental impacts.
“If you have more questions about climate change, make sure you check out sciencemoms.com you can also share this episode with someone and start a conversation.” (43:59) – Emily Gracey
Listeners are invited to follow Off the Radar on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and to engage with the content by sharing and participating in future discussions aimed at fostering a healthier planet for future generations.
This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, detailing the critical discussions between Emily Gracey and Dr. Melissa Burt. It highlights actionable insights, addresses common concerns about climate change communication with children, and underscores the importance of collective and individual efforts in combating environmental challenges.