In this text, we address the need for a climate change education that is based on citizen capacities. First, we present the deficit model. Then, we discuss the reasons why it is important for research and teaching in science education to focus on citizen capacities and emphasize them. This leads us to different ways to enlighten the idea of citizen capacities, and to contribute to their development, for the training of people capable to understand the ins and outs of contemporary environmental and health issues, to participate in socio-political conversations and to act on situations they are concerned with.