Climate and Environment

In November 2021 we asked:

“How concerned are you about the current climate change issues and what, if anything, are you doing to support environmental issues in your area.”

The question coincided with the COP26 Climate Summit.  We’ve noticed that the climate crisis is often portrayed in the media as an issue that will only affect younger people, and we wanted to understand how local older people felt about this and if they were doing anything to support environmental concerns in their local area.

This is what you told us:

Without exception, everyone we spoke to expressed concern about climate change. Many recognised that the impact of not taking action will affect future generations.

“I’m very concerned for the younger generation’s future. The predictions for climate change is alarming.  I reuse and recycle and this is a part of my everyday life. I only plant bee and butterfly friendly plants and have a lot of trees in the garden. I also buy local produce to save air miles etc. I’m doing my bit”. 

“I fear for my Children and Grandchildren, I always encourage people to be more careful with our resources especially gas - it’s a worldwide problem and those big countries should take their responsibilities seriously”.

“Well, we do our bit, but not for us for our grandchildren!  We recycle and have solar panels - we don’t have a private jet either!  I do worry that there are lots of empty words from politicians though - it’s such a big issue”

One group discussed the ‘blame ‘ culture on their age group and felt that society currently are viewing older people as the ‘problem makers’ in this country allowing plastic waste for example  to go unchecked during their lifetime.  However most people felt they are contributing to a solution even if it is only in small ways, recognising that world leaders need to continue to work together to make the bigger changes needed urgently.

Many people mentioned how they have always been careful with their resources and do not waste things as this is how they were brought up and lived, especially during times of rationing following the Second World War.

“We always recycled and mended when we were young, I try my best to live like that now - I hate waste, I think we have got a big throwaway attitude in today’s society, I do as much as I can but others need to do their bit too”.

“I am concerned as we have a lovely planet, especially this country with great scenery - we have done lots of damage since WW2 but I try to do my bit and grow my own veg and compost etc. That’s just the old fashioned way and how we did things when I was young”

Some people we spoke to expressed real concerns and felt quite frightened by the serious nature of the issue and how it was being presented during the conference especially if they were housebound and felt they couldn’t do much to help.

“I am not able to do much, and I don’t know much about environmental issues, I feel that what we are told is quite frightening and it feels like we’re going backwards and not making progress”

“I am very concerned it is an overwhelming agenda’

 ‘Impact globally is scary’

Some of those we talked to felt the big polluters in the world need to take more responsibility and some felt unsure what the conference would achieve.

“Larger countries are the major contributors to the problem and seem to dictate any lack of progress. Ridiculous amount spent on Cop 26 summit, which could have been given to poorer countries.  I don’t want to be told to give up eating meat!”

“I feel we should have started doing something a long time ago and that big industries are to blame. I do my bit with recycling but does this really make any difference in the scheme of things?  I don’t understand it all but am worried about all the plastic waste in the oceans”

However most people felt they are contributing to a solution even if it is only in small ways, recognising that world leaders need to continue to work together to make the bigger changes needed urgently.

“The group initially felt that the climate change agenda is so massive they were helpless to do anything as individuals.  We discussed small activities that were being achieved …it was agreed every little bit helps”.

Suggestions for small ways to make a difference include:

• Turning off appliances and not leaving on ‘standby’
• Using ‘bags for life’ rather than carrier bags when shopping
• ‘Walking to next bus stop or getting off bus one stop earlier (hopefully it eases fuel consumption a bit and it makes me feel good!’)
• ‘Recycling – although I have been doing according to the councils colour coded bins for a number of years now, I am much more aware of what I am doing and why’
• ‘When buying items that are heavily packaged where possible I will ask the shop to keep the packaging –I realise I am passing the buck but feel I am being consciously more aware’
• ‘When I go to a car boot sale I take my own bags, also I buy things to reuse that may have gone to tip instead’
• ‘I have made a personal pledge not to buy anything that cannot be recycled’
• Not flying anymore
• Growing vegetables
• Installing solar panels and focussing on energy efficiency in the home
• Avoiding food waste and cooking in bulk

Conclusion

Older people are as concerned as younger people about this issue and are contributing, even in small ways to play their part, whilst considering the future benefits for their children and grandchildren.