The UK’s theme for the International Day of Older Persons is “The part we play,” celebrating the integral role of older people in our communities. Gary Haq, a Senior Research Associate at SEI York, has spent many years researching how climate change impacts an ageing population. He has recently undertaken a number of projects which explore how older people engage with the climate movement.

Older people are crucial in tackling climate change

Haq’s research shows consistently that older individuals’ extensive experience, historical insights and strong community connections offer unique and invaluable perspectives in addressing climate challenges.

Back in 2007, Haq worked on a climate communication project aimed at raising awareness about climate action among people over 50. “Pretty early on, I realized that with an ageing population and a changing climate, older people were going to be seriously affected,” he recalls. The project led to the UK’s first workshop on “growing old in a changing climate”, bringing together different organizations to talk about the issue. Since then, Haq has continued working on the link between climate change and ageing, even developing the term “climate gerontology” to describe this new research field.

Haq’s recent projects, including a study on climate resilient cities in the UK, have shown how older people, fellow researchers and other stakeholders can engage positively with the challenges of climate change.

“Older participants, in particular, have been very open to sharing their thoughts and experiences of climate change and the challenges they face,” he says.

A combination of methods, including surveys, interactive webinars, focus groups and creative approaches like storytelling have enabled Haq and his research colleagues to gain a well-rounded understanding of older people’s perspectives while keeping them actively involved in the research process.

Reflecting on the momentum the field has gained in recent years, he described it as a privilege to witness and be part of. His work has led to collaborations with organizations like Help Age International and this year, for example, SEI and HelpAge are running regional dialogues to better understand the specific challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries in different parts of the world.

Haq emphasized that older people need to be recognized as active participants in tackling climate change. He believes they represent an untapped resource of skilled, healthy and active individuals who can and will engage with local climate initiatives.

“My work is about looking not just at how older people are impacted by climate change: it’s about how they contribute to the problem and also how they can be part of the solution,” Haq explains. He notes that older people are often motivated by legacy and attachment to place, with many actively participating in climate action to leave a positive impact for future generations.

In climate debates, Haq acknowledges that older people are sometimes unfairly portrayed as either responsible for the problem or indifferent to it. “Not all older people are the same: though some are resistant to change, others have been campaigning for environmental action for years,” he explains.

There is often a tension between generations, Haq adds, with young people frustrated that older generations have contributed more to the climate crisis through higher carbon footprints and past policies that did not prioritize sustainability. “However, many older people do care about climate change and are actively working towards solutions. Their experience and knowledge complement the energy and urgency of younger people.”

He also highlights that older people can play an important role in tackling climate change and dealing with extreme weather in their communities. Many are involved in local advocacy, pushing for climate policies that also address the specific needs of older people. They often have traditional know-how on things like conserving resources, which can help produce practical, local solutions to climate issues.

“Older people help connect generations, sharing skills and knowledge to strengthen the community’s response to climate challenges,” Haq explains.

“By empowering older people and involving them in decision-making, we can benefit from their experience and insights to promote healthy ageing and create stronger, more resilient communities,” Haq concludes.