The Intergenerational Bridge – Healing Climate Guilt Across Ages
Many parents carry guilt about the world they’re leaving their children.
Many parents carry guilt about the world they’re leaving their children. One parent shared: “I think I have a lot of grief, not being able to give them that ‘the world is possible’ sort of attitude.” Meanwhile, teens report anger at older generations: “Why didn’t you do something when you could have?”
The Climate Mental Health Network’s work in intergenerational conversation reveals a powerful antidote: structured conversations across age groups that acknowledge both perspectives.
The bridge-building approach: Start by each sharing one climate emotion you feel strongly. Don’t defend or explain, just listen. Then ask each other: “How do you think your generation was taught to think about the future?”
This shifts the conversation from blame to shared understanding of systemic issues.
Questions that connect generations:
- “What has your generation taught us about resilience?”
- “How can older and younger people support each other emotionally?”
- “Was there a moment that made climate change feel real to you? How old were you?”
The finding: When families engage in these conversations, both parents and youth report feeling less alone and more empowered to act together.