It’s important to get kids interested in climate and career paths at an early age, according to Frank Niepold, senior climate education program manager and coordinator, NOAA.

But, he says, that mission comes with obstacles.

WorkingNation sat down with Niepold at the ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego.

Niepold says a report from the Surgeon General notes climate is a very concerning issue for young people. “As professionals, educators, it’s our job to work with that anxiety and transform it into skill, capability, excitement, because we’re going to need all of that energy to help us with the long-decade process of dealing with climate change in communities, across the world, across the nation, and across the states.”

He continues, “We need that talent to be activated and empowered as opposed to demoralized, depressed, and missing. That’s our challenge before us.”

Learn more about NOAA’s Climate Program Office.