Parenting in a Climate Crisis: A Handbook for Turning Fear into Action

Shirvell, a journalist and mother of one, debuts with a cautiously optimistic manual on preparing kids to grow up in a world ravaged by climate change. She emphasizes the importance of inviting children to talk about their anxiety and suggests that helping them organize a beach cleanup, for instance, could help them feel more in control. To instill a love of nature in kids, she recommends going on hikes or planting a garden together. Providing ideas on how older children can get involved in activism, she proposes they might, for example, push their school to convert to clean energy by researching renewables options in their district, gathering support from fellow students and parents, and presenting their case to the school board. Guidance on how to reduce one’s carbon footprint balances climate impact with practicality, as when she suggests that while completely cutting out processed food is the environmentally responsible thing to do, readers will still sometimes “need to buy the Goldfish or the animal crackers or your kid’s favorite road trip snack.” Despite the bleak subject matter, Shirvell maintains a positive tone throughout, writing: “I live with sadness, anxiety, and anger. Yet I focus more on creating and seeing joy.” Hopeful yet grounded, this provides crucial guidance on navigating a complex facet of modern parenting. (Feb.)