Call for better protection of older people from climate change impact
Posted on 15 August 2008
Older people are among the prime contributors to climate change, but also potentially some of the first casualties
Dr Gary Haq
The report Growing Old in a Changing Climate is the first national report to examine the impact of climate change on an ageing population. It aims to stimulate wider debate on the issue, and appropriate policy responses from institutions, politicians and older people.
Dr Gary Haq, University of York and lead author of the report, said:
"Older people are among the prime contributors to climate change, but also potentially some of the first casualties. There is an urgent need to exploit synergies between climate change policies and policies aimed at older people, and to avoid duplication and contradiction. Older people must be part of the solution: we need to make it easier for them to conserve energy, use public transport and maintain crucial social networks that will help them better cope with the effects of a changing climate."
Mervyn Kolher, Special Advisor, Help the Aged and co-author, said:
"Two enormous — but utterly predictable — waves will be rolling across the global landscape in the coming decades: the ageing of our populations and the effects of climate change. Whatever other political and social policy changes will command our attention; these two challenges will be constant and unrelenting. Older people are likely to be physically, financially and emotionally less resilient to climate change and Government strategies will need to address this."
The report outlines five recommendations and calls on government agencies and older people’s organisations to make a concerted effort to reduce the vulnerability of older people by improving their ability to cope with future effects of climate change. It calls on government to:
- Risk assess all future policies so they do not undermine government targets to reduce UK greenhouse gas emissions and put older people at risk
- Climate change proof the homes of older people — both new and existing — to increase energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty
- Enrich local accessibility to deliver safer, stronger and healthier communities for older people
- Better transport for older people to ensure they can maintain independence and connect to friends, family and wider community
- Leadership on older people and climate change and the setting up of an older people and climate change group to outline a national policy framework to focus and co-ordinate action.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) is an international, independent environment and development research institute. Its York centre is based in the Department of Biology at the University of York.
- In 2007 the International Governmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment report predicted an increase of 1.8-4 °C (3.2-7.2 °F) by the end of the century.
- By 2031 people aged over 50 are expected to represent 41% of the UK population.
- Baby boomers have a carbon footprint of 13.5 tonnes, emit 1.5 to 2.5 tonnes more CO2 per year than any other age group compared. The seniors, aged 65-74, have the second highest footprint compared to other age groups. They have a carbon footprint of 12.10 tonnes of CO2 per year. The elders, aged 75+, have the highest climate impact per £ spent compared to all other age groups. This is because home heating, which is carbon intensive, represents 40 per cent of their carbon footprint.
- The August 2003 European heat wave clearly demonstrated the consequences of a rapid raise in temperatures, which reached 40°C and resulted in the death of an estimated 14,802 mainly elderly people in France.
- The severe flooding in 2007 demonstrated the impact of an extreme event could have not just on local services but especially those older people who do not have the resources to cope.
- The first national workshop to address the impact of climate change on an ageing population was held at the Hilton Hotel in York on 26 March 2008. Over 60 people representing a wide range of organisations attended the workshop and discussed issues related to climate change and older people.
- The report Growing Old in a Changing Climate: Meeting the challenges of an ageing population and climate change is available from www.sei.se. It is being sent to over 100 key national policy makers in government to raise awareness and stimulate debate.
- The University of York’s Department of Biology is one of the leading centres for biological teaching and research in the UK. The Department both teaches degree courses and undertakes research across the whole spectrum of modern Biology, from molecular genetics and biochemistry to ecology. Its biomedical research includes an Immunology and Infection Unit (jointly with the Hull York Medical School), work on infertility and three research professors funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research and York Against Cancer.