Climate change and youth development: Discussion at the 26th ISSBD Meeting

Young people are disproportionally impacted by climate change, and have potential to be frontrunners in collective green behavior change. While there is evidence on how ecological behavior develops over the course of childhood and adolescence, still little is understood about the psychological, social, and cultural factors that account for such behavior. Effective communication about climate change is critical and communicating in a way that keeps young people from experiencing fear and hopelessness is important.

In a roundtable discussion at the 26^th biennial meeting of the International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development, these topics were addressed – bringing together scientists and a young activist, who offered complementary perspectives on the topic. The discussion was chaired by Sander Thomaes, Professor of Developmental Psychology at Utrecht University.