Young children's global climate change salience and comprehension: The effect of parental perception and communication

Children are particularly vulnerable to global climate change (GCC), yet their reactions to GCC are largely unexplored. This study examines 5-8-year-old children’s understanding of GCC and how salient it is to them. Specifically, we checked whether children’s salience and comprehension of GCC varied with age and investigated the role of parents as primary socialization agents in these processes. In a sample of 312 child-parent dyads from Spain, we gathered data through structured interviews with children and standardized questionnaires completed by parents. Children’s age was positively related to salience and comprehension of GCC, with a marked increase around age 7. When parents view GCC as more proximate in time, they communicate more frequently about GCC with their children. This, in turn, enhances children’s awareness and understanding of GCC. Children’s gender and parents’ educational background, political views, and family income were not significantly linked to children’s GCC salience or comprehension. • Children’s comprehension of global climate change (GCC) significantly increases at the age of 7. • Most 5- and 6-year-olds do not fully comprehend what GCC is. • GCC is not a salient (spontaneously mentioned) environmental problem for most children aged 5 to 8. • Parents who see GCC as more proximate in time discuss it more with their children. • GCC salience and comprehension increase with frequent parental communication about GCC.