An active ageing population means people who both have the time and will to continue consuming and seeing the world. How does this affect the way over 55s look at the world? asks researchers. Photo: Helena Wahlman/imagebank.sweden.se.
They are know both as heavy polluters and those who could be the most vulnerable to a warmer climate. On the other hand, people who have lived on this earth more than 55 years, are seldom asked about their views or worries when it comes to these issues. It’s rather the coming generations we talk about.
Now a project run by Stockholm Environment Institute wants to change this by finding out what over 55s really think through an international survey.
– Some very old people say they don’t care, since they will anyway soon be gone: Others worry about what kind of world their grandchildren will grow up in, Gary Haq, who is leading the research team says in an interview with the newspaper Sydsvenskan.
Earlier studies have shown that people aged 50–64 are among the worst climate culprits when it comes to their personal lifestyle, since their children have normally left the household, incomes or pensions are good, mortgages often repaid and there’s money left for cars and plenty of journeys abroad.
On the other hand, research points at elderly people being more vulnerable to the effects of a warmer climate and extreme weather events.
The survey is looking for answers from people over 55 in any country of the world. Maybe you are one of them, or know someone who is? Here’s the link to the survey.
Other sustainability related news in Swedish media (in Swedish, but can be autotranslated here):
Miljöaktuellt: Future extreme weather could benefit Swedish farmers
Göteborgs-Posten: “Let’s ban plastic bags”
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