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Our Well-Being in a Changing Climate: A Wellness Tool

Secondary, Middle

Description

This digital tool helps students engage in activities that encourage reflection on their thoughts and feelings about climate change. It guides them to envision a more positive future through local climate action stories and explore actions they can take to turn that vision into reality. Additionally, it supports students in managing the emotions that arise from experiencing the effects of climate change and environmental issues.

This resource begins a brief introduction and instructions on using the tool, followed by five paths that guide students through a series of activities.

Part 1: Climate Change Impacts Us All – provides studies, videos, a Climate Emotions Wheel and various methods for students to identify their feelings towards climate change, as well as tools to support those emotions

Part 2: Meeting Our Eco-Emotions – introduction to a mental health continuum so students can check in on their mental health towards climate change and suggestions to cope with the stress and ways to support their nervous system

Part 3: Our Connection with Nature – strategies to connect with nature through mindfulness, the 4R’s of Netukulimk and the importance of getting outdoors to recharge and trigger positive emotions

Part 4: Evidence-Based Hope – importance of paying attention to the positive climate solutions and stories and training their brain to see the whole picture, examples of climate action success stories

Part 5: Building Resilience – Taking care of our emotions and well-being by figuring out how you can help with climate change in a meaningful way. This section also provides examples of climate actions, the importance of finding a community with the same mindset and how to start a climate conversation within their school

Students will:

  • Explore their emotions, thoughts and reactions to climate change
  • Reflect through journaling and creative writing
  • Head into nature to try some guided meditations
  • Create conversation with their community
  • Build their own toolbox to feel hopeful, strong and resilient

The resource provides a wellness page for additional support, links to emergency and non-emergency phone numbers, and positive mental health programs and services if students feel unsafe or need more support during this activity.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

The digital tool was created for students in Nova Scotia but can easily be adapted for students across Canada. An excellent tool for intermediate and secondary students providing easy to use strategies to improve their anxiety in the face of climate change. The resource provides external links to studies to support the evidence, strategies to calm the emotions and ways to channel that anxiety into action. 

The content also develops civic engagement skills as students discuss a real-world problem and learn possible solutions, emphasizing on community action for global change.  Wellness strategies such as identifying feelings and describing emotions strengthen health and wellness goals.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

Themes Addressed

Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)

  • Climate Change

Citizenship (1)

  • Community-Building and Participation

Ecosystems (1)

  • Appreciating the Natural World

Human Health & Environment (1)

  • Health Promotion

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