Aging, Ageism, and Climate Change: From Climate Anxiety to Climate Hope Through Multigenerational Solidarity

In: Handbook of Aging, Health and Public Policy.

Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1914-4_235-1

Abstract:

The concurrent climate crisis is a humanitarian global challenge serving up significant climate anxiety and concern due to the phenomenon’s disproportionate effects, which can disadvantage some of the most vulnerable groups, including the older adults. Clarion calls for climate change advocacy and action are increasing in recent years with glimpses of climate hope. However, the discourse tends to turn subtly or overtly discriminatory towards either younger or older generations, depending on the context, place, and frame. Harbouring discriminatory dispositions in climate discourse can be deeply problematic in today’s rapidly aging world as not only do they amplify existing disparities among different age cohorts but can also disregard the vulnerabilities experienced by the older adults.

While there is consensus that the fight against climate change requires a multipronged community-led approach, it also necessitates an intersectional lens soliciting intergenerational collaboration and inclusive collective action. The author highlights the unfortunate spectre of ageism in the battle against climate change and elucidates how ageism in its implicit, explicit, subjective, and objective forms impacts the participation and perceptions of people across various age cohorts. He re-emphasizes the need to elicit diverse supportive action to overcome climate anxiety and best harness the demographic as well as longevity dividend in combinedly supporting climate change advocacy and action. He also highlights the exemplar contributions of older adults in India who are visible as climate leaders and changemakers (Padma Shri Tulsi Gowda, Padma Shri Saalumarada Thimmakka, and Bittu Sahgal) who have led and motivated the younger generations, showcasing the enormous potential of intergenerational collaboration and inclusive collective action for climate change.