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A kid's guide to climate change (plus a printable comic)

Updated September 28, 2023 at 4:19 PM ET

Are you a kid — or do you know a kid — who is learning about climate change?

Whether they're asking about historic flooding or wondering about record-breaking temperatures, it can be hard to know where to start. So we made a guide about how it's changing the planet and how to deal with the big feelings you might have when you hear about it. Click here to print a paper version of this comic at home or in your classroom, and here's more information about how we made this.

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Comic by Malaka Gharib / NPR
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NPR

Print this comic out at home or in your classroom

Click here to download and print this comic at home. When you print out the PDF file, select your printer's double-sided option with short-edge binding. Then fold the printed pages in half and organize them according to the page numbers. Feel free to make extra copies to share with your friends or your classmates!

/ Holly Morris/NPR
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Holly Morris/NPR

Why we made this

Over the years we've created resources for how parents can talk to their kids about climate change. This time we wanted to make something specifically for kids as they're processing their feelings. We also wanted to create a free resource for parents or teachers to use who are looking for ways to help their kids understand how the planet is changing.

Our methodology

We talked with scientists, psychologists and climate researchers to find the best information and proven practices for how to talk to young kids about climate change. We also interviewed several kids who have experienced climate disasters and have taken action in their local communities.

Who this is for

This comic is intended for kids ages 6-12, who are starting to hear about climate change or are starting to experience climate anxiety. But we hope it can be a resource for people of any age.

Additional resources

Coping with climate change: Advice for kids — from kids

Climate change is here. These 6 tips can help you talk to kids about it

When Kids Ask (Really) Tough Questions: A Quick Guide

Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Lauren Sommer covers climate change for NPR's Science Desk, from the scientists on the front lines of documenting the warming climate to the way those changes are reshaping communities and ecosystems around the world.
Malaka Gharib is the deputy editor and digital strategist on NPR's global health and development team. She covers topics such as the refugee crisis, gender equality and women's health. Her work as part of NPR's reporting teams has been recognized with two Gracie Awards: in 2019 for How To Raise A Human, a series on global parenting, and in 2015 for #15Girls, a series that profiled teen girls around the world.