Climate change threat to older people
Posted on 11 March 2008
The Stockholm Environment Institute at the University of York is hosting ‘Growing Old in a Changing Climate’ at the Hilton Hotel in York on 26 March 2008.
The event, organised in partnership with the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly, Help the Aged and the Policy Research Institute on Ageing and Ethnicity (PRIAE), comes amid increasing evidence to suggest that older people will suffer the most from the effects of climate change.
Over 50s have a wealth of experience and knowledge that can be mobilized in tackling climate change
Dr Gary Haq
Climate change is predicted to result in an increase in mean annual temperature in the UK of between 2.5 and 3 degrees centigrade by the end of the century.1 This could lead to an increase in erratic weather patterns, with heavy winter storms, windy weather, flooding and heat waves expected to become more frequent. There is increasing evidence that people in old age will be particularly affected by these predicted changes in climate, and over 50s are expected to make up 40% of the UK population by 2031.
The event is aimed at key stakeholders from national and regional older people’s organisations, local Government, charities, academics and groups representing the over 50s. A host of influential speakers from across the UK will address the key threats to an ageing population. The workshop aims to agree a consensus on proposed policy recommendations for national and regional policy makers and older people’s bodies.
- The rapid rise in temperatures in August 2003 resulted in the death of 2,139 older people in England and Wales.2
- A review of the effects of June 2007 floods showed that older people were vulnerable to coping with the consequences of flooding. 3
- By 2012 there is a high risk that 3,000 people in the south-east of England could die from heat exposure. 1
- A 3°C temperature rise could cause a 14.5% annual increase in food poisoning (14,000) as a result of salmonella. 1
- Number of people at high risk of flooding is set to rise from 1.5 million to 3.5 million by 2100.1
- Not only are the over 50s likely to be more vulnerable to the direct and indirect impacts associated with a changing climate, they will also contribute to the causes of climate change. A 2007 analysis of the carbon footprint showed that on average baby boomers have a carbon footprint of 13.5 tonnes and emit 1.5 to 2.5 tonnes more CO2 per year than any other age group compared with the UK average of 12 tonnes.
Dr Gary Haq, researcher on lifestyle and climate change at the Stockholm Environment Institute and workshop coordinator, said: "People in old age are more likely to be less resilient to dealing with the health effects and other indirect impacts of a changing climate than the rest of the population. At the same time, over 50s have a wealth of experience and knowledge that can be mobilized in tackling climate change.
"This workshop aims to bring to light the future threat to an already ageing population and agree on a set of recommendations for policy makers and decision makers on how to tackle the issue".
Mervyn Kohler, Special Advisor, Help the Aged, said: "Older people are part of the problem, but also part of the solution. They may face greater health and environmental risks from climate change, but passing on an inheritance is part of their psyche - and what could be a better inheritance than passing on a properly working planet?
"This challenging workshop brings together two of the greatest themes on our policy agenda, the ageing of society and the threat of climate change, and will seek to manage both to promote a better society for all."
Peter Box, Chair of the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly, added: "The implications of climate change for the ageing population within Yorkshire and Humber present a very real challenge to the region. The Assembly is committed to taking positive action on all aspects of climate change and by supporting this workshop, it will make a major contribution to understanding how climate change will affect the over 50s."
The workshop will be chaired by Liz Barclay, presenter of BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours and author of the book Green Living. A panel of leading environmental speakers will include: Sir John Lawton, Chair of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution; Mervyn Kohler, Special Advisor, Help the Aged; Dominic Harrison, Deputy Director, Northwest Regional Health Authority: Jenny Jones, Member of the London Assembly and former deputy mayor; and John Whitelegg, Professor of Sustainability, University of York.
The ‘Growing Old in a Changing Climate’ workshop will take place at the Hilton Hotel, York on 26 March 2008 from 10am to 4 pm. Organisations and groups which address the interests of the over 50s are invited to apply to attend before 19 March. For further information see www.climatetalk.org.uk or call Jenny Duckmanton on 01904 432297, email jmd4@york.ac.uk.
ENDS
References
- The Health Effects of Climate Change. Department of Health and the Health Protection Agency. February 2008. http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_0%208%200702
- Johnson, H., Kovats, R., S., McGregor, G., Stedman4, J., Gibbs, M., Walton, H. (2005) The impact of the 2003 heat wave on daily mortality in England and Wales and the use of rapid weekly mortality estimates, Eurosurveillance; 10/7, pp.168-171 www.eurosurveillance.org/eq/2005/03-05/pdf/eq_7_2005_168-171.pdf
- The Pitt Review (2007) The Lessons learned from the 2007 Floods http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/upload/assets/www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/flooding_review/flood_report_web.pdf
- Haq, G. Minx, J., Owen, A., and Whitelegg, J. (2007) Greening the Greys: Climate change and the over 50s, Stockholm Environment Institute, University of York http://www.climatetalk.org.uk/downloads/ClimateChangeandOver50s.pdf
Notes to editors:
- The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) is an international, independent environment and development research institute. It is a part of an international network or centres with the York centre based at the University of York.
- The 2007 Greening the Greys report published by the Stockholm Environment Institute showed that 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.