This YouTube show explains climate change to the kids who have to live with it

JUANA SUMMERS, HOST:

You’ve probably heard of Bill Nye the Science Guy. Well, now there’s Suzie Hicks the Climate Chick. NPR’s Chloe Veltman reports the up-and-coming educator and TV host has a new YouTube series about inspiring little kids to take climate action.

CHLOE VELTMAN, BYLINE: The new series, “Suzie Hicks The Climate Chick & Sprout” stars a human…

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SUZIE HICKS: I’m Suzie. I’m a climate advocate. I’m so happy to meet you.

VELTMAN: …And a fluffy green puppet.

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ANDY LEON: (As Sprout) I’m Sprout. I’m a sunflower. I’m just too little to bloom yet.

VELTMAN: Together, the pair share information about human-caused climate change — the science, why it’s a problem, what can be done about it — in a way that’s tailored to suit a young audience.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

HICKS: Can you tell our friends what we’re learning about today?

LEON: (As Sprout) Yes. Today, we’re answering the question, what is climate change?

HICKS: The reason that I talk to young kids is, like, what a glorious opportunity to build a better future. I oscillate it between, oh, my God, we’re doomed and a better world as possible. And I want more people to oscillate towards a better world as possible.

VELTMAN: The “Suzie Hicks & Sprout” series on YouTube is part of a small number of climate change-related offerings for kids, such as the Oscar-nominated movie “Wild Robot” and the Apple+ TV series “Jane.”

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AVA LOUISE MURCHISON: (As Jane) The animals are in danger. Every year, there are less and less of them.

MASON BLOMBERG: (As David) We have to help them.

VELTMAN: But a study from The Aspen Institute shows there’s not a lot of climate change content aimed at kids. Laura Schifter coauthored the study.

LAURA SCHIFTER: But there are parents that really want to see more of this content to help children understand our changing world and help empower more people in understanding solutions.

VELTMAN: One such parent is Charisse Sims. Sims has six kids, lives in Los Angeles and works as a teacher. She says it’s important for children to learn about climate change.

CHARISSE SIMS: ‘Cause this is their world (laughter), and it’s impacting so many things.

VELTMAN: Sims says “Suzie Hicks The Climate Chick & Sprout” makes climate change approachable and fun.

SIMS: Scientists sometimes want to use big words, and you just don’t understand what they’re talking to you about. But with Suzie, you understand what you can do.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

HICKS: Our atmosphere is like a big, beautiful blanket around our planet. It works to keep some of the sun’s heat from escaping into chilly outer space.

LEON: (As Sprout) Love that for us.

VELTMAN: Hicks is starting to gain recognition, but it’s not an easy trail to blaze. They’re currently crowdsourcing almost all of the show’s funding.

HICKS: All of my friends have, like, normal 9 to 5s, and they have health care (laughter), and, like, they make money. And I’m out here, like, playing with puppets, talking about the Earth.

VELTMAN: But Hicks says they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Chloe Veltman, NPR News.

(SOUNDBITE OF HERVE BRAULT’S “VITAMIN BOX”)

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