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How to Talk to Your Kids About Biodiversity and Climate Action

Conversations about the environment can sometimes feel overwhelming, even for adults. For children, who are still learning how the world works, the scale of issues like biodiversity loss and climate change can seem especially daunting.

But these conversations are also some of the most important ones we can have. By talking about nature with honesty, hope, and a focus on action, we can help kids grow up connected to the planet and empowered to care for it.

At Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA), we’ve seen how time in nature and hands-on experiences can spark lifelong passion. Here are a few ways you can talk to your kids about biodiversity and climate action in a positive, constructive way:

Get Outside Together

The best way to care about nature is to spend time in it. Take your kids on bushwalks, visit local parks, or join a CVA volunteering project. Planting trees, restoring habitats, or cleaning up waterways not only helps the environment but also shows children that protecting biodiversity can be fun, social, and rewarding. These experiences create memories and a sense of belonging to a community that’s working together for good.

Focus on Solutions

It’s easy for conversations about climate change to get stuck on the problems. Instead, highlight the solutions. Talk about renewable energy, wildlife sanctuaries, or community-led projects that are making a difference. When volunteering with CVA, for example, your child can see firsthand how planting native vegetation helps threatened species. Focusing on solutions helps children feel empowered rather than overwhelmed.

Take Action, With or Without Kids

Children learn more from what we do than what we say. Whether you’re participating in a tree-planting day, reducing waste at home, or advocating for nature-friendly policies, your actions set the tone. If your kids are old enough, involve them in volunteering projects. If they’re too young, show them photos and share stories about what you’re doing to help. They’ll see that protecting biodiversity is part of everyday life.

Talk About Feelings

Eco-anxiety is real, and kids feel it too. Encourage them to share their worries, and listen without judgment. Let them know it’s okay to feel sad or angry about what’s happening to the planet. Pair these conversations with hopeful stories and concrete examples of change. Acknowledging feelings while showing paths to action helps children build resilience and optimism.

Celebrate Everyday Nature

Not every lesson has to be about global issues. Notice the birds in your backyard, the bugs under a log, or the first signs of a tree blossoming in spring. These small, daily connections remind kids that biodiversity is all around us, and that caring for nature begins close to home.

Join a Community of Action

One of the most powerful ways to show kids that they are not alone is to connect with others. At CVA, volunteers across Australia work together to restore habitats, protect wildlife, and build climate resilience. Bringing children into these experiences, or simply letting them see you involved, demonstrates that collective action is possible, meaningful, and joyful.

Final Thoughts

Talking to kids about biodiversity and climate action is about creating space for curiosity, honesty, and hope. By spending time outdoors, focusing on solutions, acting with purpose, and sharing feelings openly, you can raise children who feel connected to the natural world and confident that they can make a difference.

And when you’re ready to take the next step, volunteering with Conservation Volunteers Australia is a wonderful way to turn these conversations into action. Get involved right here.