Project Description

Resources for Youth

Resources to help and facilitate youth to love and care for God’s creation

Activity Guides

  • A Rocha UK’s Eco Church
  • Eco Congregation Scotland
  • The Salvation Army UK
    • Care for Creation Youth Small Group. This guide includes four sessions to explore care for creation as an important mission priority, with lots of video clips which will display God’s creation and provide accurate background information around this topic.
  • Anglican Church of Southern Africa
    • Care for Creation – Youth Manual – for 13-18 years olds. This youth training program helps and and establish a generation of Christians who are committed to safeguarding the integrity of creation and to sustaining and renewing the life of the Earth.
  • Christian Aid’s
  • Tearfund

Read and Explore More

Research Paper:Β Young People’s Voices on Climate Anxiety, Government Betrayal and Moral Injury: A Global Phenomenon

The Lancet, 2021.09.07

Climate change has significant implications for the health and futures of children and young people, yet they have little power to limit its harm, making them vulnerable to increased climate anxiety. Qualitative studies show climate anxiety is associated with perceptions of inadequate action by adults and governments, feelings of betrayal, abandonment and moral injury. This study offers the first large-scale investigation of climate anxiety in children and young people globally and its relationship to government response. 10,000 young people (aged 16-25 years) in ten countries were surveyed. Data were collected on their thoughts and feelings about climate change, and government response.

β€œβ€¦young people around the world report climate anxiety and distress, related to both ecological destruction and inadequate government response. We argue that the failure of governments to adequately reduce, prevent, or mitigate climate change is contributing to psychological distress, moral injury and injustice. Climate change, climate anxiety and inadequate government responses to these are chronic stressors which will negatively affect mental health and wellbeing. This survey offers an overview; further, detailed research is required to explore the complexities and wide variety of climate feelings. To support mental health, public discourse should encourage the expression of feelings that 60% of young people in this survey have described as being ignored or dismissed.”

β€œThe global scale of this study is sufficient to warrant a warning to governments and adults around the world, and demands an urgent need for more in-depth research, greater responsiveness to children and young people’s concerns, and immediate action on climate change.”

UK (2020)

Young people call on the church to tackle the climate crisis – In 2020Β We Are TearfundΒ andΒ YouthscapeΒ surveyed 630 young Christians from the UK. We asked 14-19 year olds about their thoughts on the climate, the church and their faith. The research has found that 9 out of 10 Christian teenagers surveyed are concerned about climate change, but just one in 10 believe their church is doing enough to respond to the climate crisis.

For more information about the research, check out:Β We Are Tearfund – Burning Down the HouseΒ and alsoΒ Youthscape – Burning Down the House.

Could the church lose young people over climate inaction?Β This Tearfund articles reflects on what young Christians have to say about the church’s response to the climate crisis

Canada (2023)

Tearfund Canada, in partnership with A Rocha Canada, conducted a survey geared towards young Christians about their beliefs surrounding creation care. The survey involved 742 young Christians along with focus groups over 120 people. The findings show that young Christians hold a strong concern for climate change and nature loss, and are compelling the church to take action.

92% of young Canadians surveyed stated that they believe caring for creation is an essential act of discipleship. They also believe it is an essential aspect of the Church’s mission.Β Download the full Survey Report

Key Findings

    • 65% of respondents attend church weekly or more, and 77% attend at least once a month
    • 91% are worried about climate change and nature loss
    • 92% believe that caring for creation is an essential act of discipleship and the Church’s mission
    • 84% of young Christians said they have friends that are concerned about climate change
    • 75% want mentoring from their church to help them cultivate Christian hope as they face the world’s future

β€œYoung people who follow Jesus are urging us to care for God’s good earth now. Let’s stand with them and future generations by passionately protecting and preserving our precious planet.”

– Ken Shigematsu, Pastor of Tenth Church, Vancouver

β€œThese results are a clear invitation to Missional thinking to lead both transformation of communities and creation flourishing – a consistent pattern in scripture that addresses the longing expressed in the survey.”

– Rev. David Wells, General Superintendent – Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada