Nick News: Kids and the Impact of Climate Change
By Ashley Moulton,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Star-studded climate change primer inspires kids to act.
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Nick News: Kids and the Impact of Climate Change
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What's the Story?
Nick News: Kids and the Impact of Climate Change is an hour-long special edition of the long-running Nick News series. Hosted by Jamie Yuccas of CBS News, the special also includes guest appearances by U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, football player Rob Gronkowski, and kid-friendly stars like Liza Koshy and Skai Jackson. Through animated segments, the show gives kid-friendly definitions of climate change concepts like global warming, net zero emissions, and carbon footprint. Yuccas also gives brief history lessons on topics like Earth Day, the environmental legslation of the 1970s, the Paris Climate Agreement, and teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg. There's a panel of kid environmental activists who talk about what they do to fight climate change. Yuccas visits a "zero waste family" at home and learns how they compost, buy used clothing, and recycle wastewater. Three kids from around the U.S. talk about how their communities are impacted by environmental racism, or how some underserved communities are disproportionately affected by toxic industries. Yuccas and her guests emphasize that there are things kids can do in their own lives to reduce their impact on the earth and slow down climate change.
Is It Any Good?
This special is a great first introduction to climate change for tweens interested in understanding what buzzwords like "global warming" actually mean and how it impacts their lives. Curious kids (i.e. all kids) will enjoy learning more about something they've probably heard about but don't fully understand. Tweens will like seeing some of their favorite celebrities as well as delightful kid reporter Rory Hu. The special does a good job of empowering kids to take an active role in environmentalism. It balances the focus on small environmentally-friendly actions individual kids can take and larger activism efforts they can get involved with. 'Kids and the Impact of Climate Change' strikes a hopeful tone and will encourage many kids to get involved and nag their parents to do the same.
Jamie Yuccas is a capable host, though less captivating than beloved retired Nick News host Linda Ellerbee. The special's one flaw is just how much content it covers. Climate change topics are unwieldy (even for grown-ups) and the science may go over some kids' heads since the explanations don't go super in depth. Some of the segments aren't really related to climate change and are more general-environmentalism focused. Overall, the special is a great entry point on the topic, and parents can expect it to start some interesting conversations.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about global warming and climate change. Did this special help you understand any concepts better? What do you still want to learn more about?
The kids featured in the special are all involved in climate change activism. What does it mean to be an activist? Do watching things like this special make you want to get involved? What are some ways you might be able to help?
What is one thing you can do to be more environmentally friendly? Did the kids on the show give you any ideas?
TV Details
- Premiere date: April 17, 2021
- Cast: Skai Jackson, Lily Collins, Liza Koshy, Rob Gronkowski, Jamie Yuccas
- Network: Nickelodeon
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: Activism, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, Science and Nature
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: April 18, 2022
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