Many young people are seriously worried about the climate emergency, with feelings of helplessness leading to adverse health impacts.
In response, SCU has created a new adventure app, and the university is now seeking climate concerns and solutions from the public ahead of the app’s launch.
More than just child’s play
Southern Cross University researchers say the new Climate Change + Me 2.0 app has been designed for (and by) children and young people, and intends it to be a platform for action, learning and creativity in response to climate change.
‘This child-led, interactive app will feature inspiration to take action, a library of relevant resources, opportunities to interact with like-minded individuals, and much more,’ said Professor Amy Cutter-Mackenzie Knowles, co-lead researcher for the project, Dean of the School of Education and leader of the SEAE Research Cluster.
‘This app is exciting because it enables children and young people to contribute meaningfully to climate change conversations, offers support and relevant information, and inspires purposeful and achievable action,’ she said.
‘This is particularly relevant in the wake of the recent youth-led climate strikes, and the growing awareness of children’s concerns about climate change.’
‘We invite children, young people and adults to make a difference by telling us about their concerns for the creatures and places affected by climate change,’ said Professor Cutter-Mackenzie Knowles.
‘These Climate Concerns will be integrated into the app design as part of an online ‘adventure’ into global climate impacts and responses.’
Southern Cross University says the app’s co researchers are young people from around Australia who have been central to the development process, attending face-to-face and online workshops since January 2020.
‘The decision to open up the invitation for submissions to adults was made by the children co-researchers, as they expressed a need for “all the help we can get to tackle climate change!”‘ said Professor Cutter-Mackenzie Knowles.
Bringing people together
Dr David Rousell of RMIT is co-lead of the Climate Change + Me 2.0 project. He said the climate activism adventure app will bring together passionate and concerned individuals onto a single platform.
‘We want to hear from children and adults about the impacts of climate change on, for example, a specific animal, plant, community, region, city or environmental or social issue,’ said Dr Rousell. ‘Basically anything in your local area or further afield that you are concerned about.
‘For example, Climate Concerns have already been submitted about bushfires, coral bleaching, rising sea levels and threats to Sri Lankan rainforests.’
You can submit your Climate Concern (in 400 words or less) by visiting this link.
For more information about how to submit to the app, and why, visit the Climate Change + Me website.
