Climate Emotions Wheel
Provided by: Climate Mental Health Network|Published on: September 27, 2023|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 7, 8, 9, 10
Type: Activity - Classroom
Focus Area: Cultivates 21st Century Skills
Subjects: Visual and Performing Arts, Health
Authors: Climate Mental Health Network
Location: Earth
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This activity allows students to describe, draw, or color in their feelings about climate change in a climate emotions wheel and encourages them to share their feelings with others.
- This activity is based on research from the University of Helsinki and is available in 15 different languages.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The blank activity sheet is provided in the resource and can be printed out for students to complete.
- The wheel covers a wide array of relevant emotions.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should understand each emotion on the wheel, so define any words that your students are unfamiliar with.
- There are links to Parent Resources, Creative Art Therapy ideas, and a Guide for Action and Self Care at the end.
- Check in with students as they complete this activity and be aware that some students may need to talk with a guidance counselor or other trusted adult to process negative emotions.
Differentiation
- This activity can fit within a larger unit on the impact climate change has on personal health.
- This activity pairs well with another resource titled How to Talk to Young People About Climate Emotions.
- Teachers can use this activity as a conceptual introduction to climate grief and/or climate anxiety.
- This activity can supplement a classroom discussion on how to effectively manage climate guilt, grief, or frustration.
Framework for Shifting Paradigms in Climate Education
This resource exemplifies the Cultivates 21st Century Skills Key Focus Area.
- Core Component 1: Cultivating Agency through Technology, Leadership Skills, and Multifaceted Literacies
- Students will learn how to use their emotions to energize them towards climate action. For example, the guide suggests channeling outrage into climate action, which will lead them to feelings of pride or empowerment.
- Core Component 2: Build Emotional Strength for Climate Advocacy
- The guide provides students with prompts and guidance to work through emotions, recognize their purpose, and make them constructive. Students learn strategies for dealing with emotions. Students will identify their most common climate emotions and work through prompts to deal with them.
- Core Component 3: Global Competence and Citizenship Development
- Students are encouraged to seek out others to have conversations and find common ground. Students will understand that they are not alone in their climate emotions.
Climate anxiety is a well-documented issue, especially amongst younger generations. This activity can help process students' emotions regarding climate change and is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
