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International Day of Older Persons
Workshop: Confronting Emerging Challenges:
Climate Change and Aging:
Providing Effective Social Services
By Galina Lapadatova and Yixing Nan, Global Action on Aging
October 8, 2009
Remarks by Peter Grevatt, Ph.D., Senior Advisor for Children’s Health, Office of the Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
President Obama said, in his opening remarks to the UN General Assembly: “The danger posed by climate change cannot be denied. Our responsibility to meet it must not be deferred …Future generations will look back and wonder why we refused to act; why we failed to pass on an environment that was worthy of our inheritance.”
As a result of climate change some changes in the nature are already occurring:
1. Sea level rise, shrinking glaciers
2. Changes in the range and distribution of plants and animals
3. Trees blooming earlier
4. Lengthening of growing seasons
5. Thawing of permafrost
We must study how communities and the environment will adapt to climate change. The health status of millions of people, particularly those with low adaptive capacity, will be affected by climate change. With climate change we will experience:
1. Increases in malnutrition and consequent disorders
2. Increases in deaths, disease and injury due to heat
3. Increased frequency of cardio-respiratory diseases due to higher concentrations of ground level ozone
4. Distribution of more infectious diseases
Remarks by Mr. Jose Miguel Guzman, Director Population and Development Branch, United Nations Population Fund (UNFP):
People who have contributed the least to climate change will suffer the most. The International Panel on Climate Change projects that those at greatest risk are the urban poor, traditional societies, older persons, subsistence farmers, coastal populations and young people. These groups of people share a common characteristic, which is low adaptive capacity. Therefore, mitigation and adaptations are critical to the persons at greater risk.
When preparing for the climate change, very few consider the needs and challenges for older persons; they are mostly seen as victims of climate change. This notion has to change. We should enable a supportive environment for older persons through environmental sustainability and ensuring easy access to public buildings. This will result in reducing emissions on one hand and helping adapt older persons to the consequences of climate change on the other hand.
The United Nations Population Fund’s response to the need to improve adaptation of older persons to climate change is:
1. Promoting capacity building
2. Working with governments to formulate policies
3. Reviewing policies and plans
4. Research
5. Raising awareness
6. Convening meetings and workshops
The UNFPA recommendations to older persons facing climate change are:
1. Inclusion of older persons in defining national adaptation to climate change and development of mitigation strategies
2. Put a human face on discussions of climate change and the challenges it poses
3. Older Persons must be addressed when discussing sustainable development
In implementing the International Plan of Action on Ageing, adopted by the World Assembly on Ageing and endorsed by the General Assembly, the United Nations encourages Governments to incorporate the following principles into their national programs whenever possible:
1. Older persons should have access to adequate food, water, shelter, clothing and health-care through the provision of income, family, community support and self-help
2. Older persons should have the opportunity to work or to have access to other income-generating opportunities
3. Older persons should be able to participate in determining when and at what pace withdrawal from the labor force takes place
4. Older persons should have access to appropriate educational and training programs
5. Older persons should be able to live in environments that are safe and adaptable to their personal preferences
6. Older persons should have access to social and legal services to enhance their autonomy, protection and care.
According to the Ministry of Social Development, Division of Aging, of Trinidad and Tobago, there is a demographic transition from high birth and death rates to one of low birth and death rates. This has occurred due to the global phenomenon of the proportion of older persons rapidly surpassing the proportion of persons in younger age groups. In 2009, 11 percent of the world population is 60 years and over. Studies predict that in 2050 almost 22 percent of the population will be 60 years and older. In developing countries the older population is expected to increase four-fold during the next 50 years. Climate change affects groups differently. Older persons will suffer among the most due to climate change. Particularly in developing countries, lack of social security, poverty, and lower human capital makes livelihoods of older people even more difficult. Climate change will magnify inequality. For example, the adaptation effect, access to resources, and limited coping abilities will become obvious among older persons. Extreme weather threatens health. And as we grow older, our systems become more and more vulnerable to change, such as extreme heat and cold. Individuals in poor health (many among them are older persons) will be more vulnerable to the effects of climate change and have a reduced capacity to adapt to its threats. As a result of the 2003 heat waves in Europe, more than 2500 older persons died. Also, in case of flooding, sea-rise or heat waves, older people will find it more difficult to evacuate.
US Initiatives- Remarks by Peter Grevatt, Ph.D (EPA)
As a response to the need for mitigation and adaptation of older persons as well as following UN principles, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) launched an awards program entitled Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging. More than 28 organizations are supporters of this program. This program benefits not only older persons but also people of all ages. Through this program EPA encourages communities to facilitate walkable neighborhoods for people of all ages. The environment benefits by including reducing green house gas emissions. People can enjoy health benefits by putting walking back into our lives. EPA has also released a new Guide to Smart Growth and Active Aging with many examples of what is happening across the US and what older people can do in their communities to make them sustainable and age-friendlier.
Initiatives in Trinidad and Tobago– Remarks by Dr. Jennifer Rouse, Director, Division of Ageing, Ministry of Social Development, Trinidad and Tobago
The overall increase in the number of persons 60 years and older in Trinidad and Tobago (Caribbean Region) over the period 1960 to 2000 was approximately 141 percent. The Ministry of Social Development recognizes that developing a comprehensive policy on aging is critical. It will serve as a platform for the sustainable development of older persons.
The underlying principles of the Policy on Ageing for Trinidad and Tobago are:
1. Accessibility
2. Participation
3. Dignity
4. Healthy and active ageing
5. Independence
6. Home and community care
Older persons in Trinidad and Tobago live in close to threats that climate change poses. The nation has introduced collaborative efforts geared towards educating and training older persons, creating adequate transportation and preparation for disasters. Education is important and older persons should be able to benefit from the education system. The government has created essential services to facilitate evacuation and rescue operations by identifying and registering vulnerable older persons. Other initiatives include providing accessible shelters, transportation for frail seniors, educating the general public and patients and caregivers of older persons on disaster preparedness.
Conclusion
Older people should know that they have different, however, important roles to play in society. For example, they can serve as models for the young generations teaching them how to make the world and their livelihoods more sustainable. They may also contribute to the reduction of emissions. Being old does not mean that you are being “useless” or a burden for others. The world is not dominated by the younger ones. Everyone has a role to play in their society. Young people should know that the place they live in would not have been the same without their parents and grandparents’ effort. Giving respect and more care to the older people is more of a “pay back” for their life long contributions.
In Trinidad and Tobago, the Division of Aging at Ministry of Social Development organizes regular events for young and older people to work together. At their popular cooking workshops, older people teach the young how to prepare traditional ways. No microwaves. No convenient tools. They teach young people to make foods with their own hands. The speaker believes that such activities not only help young people cultivate a sense of connectedness with older people but also provides the young people with useful information for sustainable development.
We are all in this together. Governments, NGO’s, private companies, ordinary citizens should come together to address climate change and include older persons as people at risk in the development of strategies.
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