Young children, families, and the changing climate: Parents express concern and take action

Parents are increasingly expressing concern about extreme weather events, from heat and flooding to wildfires and hurricanes. They see the damage and feel the stress today and remain concerned about what might come tomorrow. At the same time, we are seeing more parents joining with others to respond to the threats to their children and the well-being of their families as the changing climate impacts their lives.

In August 2025, the national RAPID survey collected data from more than 1,700 parents of young children across the United States about their experiences with extreme weather. Two in three parents surveyed (64%) reported experiencing one or more extreme weather events in the past two years. Such weather events can lead to displacement, home damage, increased utility bills, negative health impacts, and less time outside. It often leads to disruptions in school and child care. Among parents who experienced extreme weather, the majority (78%) worried about the impact on their children.

In March 2026, the World Meteorological Organization reported, “the Earth’s climate is more out of balance than at any time in observed history,” noting that greenhouse gas concentrations were driving the warming atmosphere and oceans and the melting of ice. 

This is troubling to read and contributes to our anxiety about weather events, particularly as efforts to roll back environmental protections have increased in the past year.

A bright spot is that more parents are joining together and taking action. Parents have often been in the vanguard of speaking up when they see a threat to their children, or when their efforts to care and support their children are undermined by unresponsive policies. Parents bring first-hand knowledge and an intensity of concern about the impact of the changing climate and other environmental issues on their daily lives and the livability of their neighborhoods. Expressing concern and joining with others helps build a sense of agency for parents that can in turn translate into improved caregiver well-being. 

Parent action can range from household recycling to the use of energy-efficient vehicles, from a commitment to nature to speaking out for cleaner air and water. Local and national groups are growing, with parents joining youth activists and other community members developing local and state climate adaptation plans and pushing back against the dependence on fossil fuels. 

For example, Our Kids’ Climate serves as an anchor organization, which connects national and grassroots groups working to unite parents and caregivers to create a safer climate for children everywhere. They support organizations from more than 50 countries to develop parent-led, family-friendly, and intergenerational strategies. 

Moms Clean Air Force, a community of 1.6 million moms, dads and caregivers, supports local projects that help reduce air pollution, address climate change, and improve the health of children and families. The projects include, among others, working with Indigenous communities to expose environmental injustices, and EcoMadres, which empowers Latino communities to stand up for clean air and climate change solutions.  

Bridget Shirvell’s book, “Parenting in a Climate Crisis: A Handbook for Turning Fear into Action,” reflects the feelings of many who are raising children during these stressful times. She addresses topics such as how to talk with our children about these issues, how to encourage a love of nature, animals and curiosity in children, how to address the grief that so many people feel when witnessing or experiencing heartbreaking environmental changes, and how to problem solve and take action. 

As the spring turns into summer across the country, we are already seeing record-breaking heat and erratic weather which compounds a sense of unpredictability and stress. As one parent in the RAPID survey wrote: “I am worried about our children and future generations if it gets any hotter.” 

Parents are voicing their concern, joining with others and asking for environmental policies that will protect their children. We need to start by listening to their concerns, encouraging action, and securing a sustainable world for the children and families of today and those who will inherit the earth in the next generation.

This blog post originally appeared on Rapid Survey Project.