In this week's episode I am discussing how climate anxiety is not the problem. I will explore how we educate, support and practice in a time of climate breakdown without overwhelming young people or asking them to numb themselves to reality.

Topics include:

• Climate anxiety is not the problem; unsupported climate anxiety is.
• Climate education cannot just give young people facts - it has to help them emotionally metabolise what they know.
• Emotional literacy needs to include the body, not just naming feelings.
• Adults and teachers need to do their own emotional work, otherwise they may shut down young people’s grief, anger or fear.
• Climate anxiety can be a sign of care, intelligence and relationship with the world, not pathology.
• The “Goldilocks zone” is really useful: enough feeling to care and act, not so much that people collapse.
• A climate breakdown risk-benefit assessment feels like one of your most original contributions.
• The neutrality/politics section is one of the most interesting: teachers do not need to be party-political, but silence and false balance are not neutral.
• Resilience should be framed as community, belonging and collective capacity, not individual toughness.
• Nature connection is not just a well-being add-on; it is part of repairing the relationship that created the crisis.
• The ending around possible futures, imagination and agency is important because it offers hope without false reassurance.

Show Notes:

https://theoutdoorteacher.com/podcasts/episode-92-climate-anxiety-is-not-the-problem/

Music by Geoff Robb: www.geoffrobb.com

Please Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

If you have enjoyed today's episode, please consider rating and reviewing my show!

This really helps me to spread the word to more people like you, and to empower more people to take their practice outdoors!

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, "follow" the podcast, as if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Green Health Virtual Gathering 2026

Embedding Nature in Practice - From Vision to Delivery