Climate Anxiety
A Father’s Perspective
Adam Mahoney reflects on the parenting challenge of our era — how do we talk about climate change with our children?
I‘ve been in the parenthood game for a few years now and finally feel like I’m getting the hang of things. This Father’s Day, I want to reflect on one of the challenges I’ve had and continue to face as a parent — climate change.
When my daughter was born, my whole world changed. Suddenly, this small human who I just met was my whole world.
I immediately knew that everything I do will be to give her the best and most fulfilling life possible.
But it is hard not to worry that the cards are stacked against me, and her. The world she will grow up in is drastically different from the one I did — and at 28, I’m not even that old.
Even when my partner was pregnant with our daughter, it was something I had a hard time reconciling. Who are we to bring a kid into a world with a rapidly changing climate that will make her life harder and more uncertain than mine and my parents before me?
If enough people do the small things, a fraction of a drop can become a full drop and then maybe a firehose of climate action.
It’s a calculation a lot of would-be parents my age are making. Anecdotally, I have friends who have decided not to have kids at all due to the threat of climate change. I‘m not saying everyone should have kids — it is up to each family to decide what is best for them. In my opinion, however, it certainly feels dystopian to have the climate crisis be a driving factor behind whether or not to start a family.
But my daughter is here — and I would not change that for a second. So, it is my job to prepare her for the world ahead and to not give in to the despair of climate doom. I need to contribute to climate solutions in any small way I can to show her that not all hope is lost.
There are actions I can take as an individual to do my part. In the grand scheme of things, they may only be a fraction of a drop in the bucket. But things as simple as biking to work and school, buying local, and reducing waste are all things that can give us a sense of agency in the fight against climate change. If enough people do the small things, a fraction of a drop can become a full drop and then maybe a firehose of climate action.
She needs to see that a better world is possible. I am inspired by young people taking to the streets to fight for their future. When the time comes, I will gladly write the note to excuse my daughter from school so she can protest in front of the legislature. And I’ll be standing right there next to her.
The road to sustainable communities is long still and we’re not out of the woods yet. Working at the Conservation Council has given me greater hope, seeing that there are so many dedicated people working toward real solutions — not just here at Conserver House, but at our fellow non-profits, conservation, citizen and watershed groups, and around kitchen tables across the province.
I will freely admit the pace of change is not where it needs to be — but that is not a reason to give up.
My daughter’s future, and the future of everyone, depends on our resolve.
