Teaching Climate Change With Solutions and Hope

Over the course of 40 years as an environmental children’s book author and illustrator, Lynne Cherry taught children about rainforests, rivers, and endangered species, and learned that she must take into account the psychological effect of telling children about upsetting issues. Children would physically and emotionally withdraw. And although adults might not cry, inside they were emotionally withdrawing, too.  

So when children excitedly told Lynne how they’d saved a forest or a cypress swamp, she included their photos and stories in her presentations. Whereas sad information shut people down, success stories empowered everyone.    

In transforming her presentations from environmental problems to successes, she discovered a very effective strategy for communicating climate change. Lynne found that it is essential to start the climate conversation with youth solutions and there are now 13 uplifting, award-winning, short Young Voices for the Planet films documenting youth solutions to the climate crisis. The films counter despair and spark action. They allow kids to process scientific facts, develop self-efficacy (the belief in their ability to be change-agents), go from hopeless to hopeful and from apathetic to engaged, and take action in their communities.

Come join Lynne Cherry as she shares with us examples of how children can make a difference and also shows several of the Young Voices for the Planet short films. You will leave feeling hopeful and inspired! Lynne will also have copies of her books for purchase and signing.

This Ted Exford Climate Stewards lecture is supported by Dave & Loretta (Exford) Hoglund.

Please note: Masks are required for this program, regardless of COVID vaccination status. Thank you for your understanding!

About the Presenter

Lynne Cherry is an author, illustrator, filmmaker and environmental lecturer. She has written and/or illustrated over thirty award-winning books for children. Her best-selling books such as The Great Kapok Tree and A River Ran Wild teach children a respect for the earth, have sold over a million copies and are translated into many languages.

Lynne is the producer of the Young Voices for the Planet movie series. “Messages of gloom and doom elicit reactions of fear and hopelessness but the eight Young Voices for the Planet films focus on empowerment,” says Cherry. “These kids inspire us all to embrace the seriousness of climate change. Just as they pressured us to stop smoking and littering, wear seat belts, and recycle --creating change from the roots up, they can encourage us to take action to reduce the carbon footprint of homes, schools and communities."

Lynne earned an art degree at Tyler School of Art and a Masters in History at Yale University. She has had artist-in-residencies at Princeton University, The Smithsonian Institution and Cornell University.

She was a recipient of the Metcalf Fellowship and has received science writing fellowships from the Marine Biological Lab and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Many of her books have appeared on Reading Rainbow. How We Know What We Know about Our Changing Climate, co-authored with photojournalist Gary Braasch, won the AAAS/Subaru Award and 14 other awards. Lynne lectures widely—and passionately--about how children can make a difference. Her books and films show kids can help create a better world.