Climate Change: Older People Part of Solution

A report published by the Stockholm Environment Institute, University of York, in collaboration with Help the Aged, calls on government and public authorities in the United Kingdom to take action to better protect older people from the future effects of climate change.  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 (in the UK) 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."  Longer article & full report here...