CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE OVER-5Os

Background

The over-50s currently represent 33% of the UK population and this proportion continues to rise. Recent academic work has shown that the lifestyle of this age group is responsible for the largest carbon footprint (greenhouse gas emissions) of any.

One result of climate change is that almost everywhere glaciers are melting.

Increased carbon dioxide in the air means that tropical seas are becoming more acidic, killing plants and animals.

The same studies also highlight that the over-50s want to take action but are often frustrated because there are barriers to doing so.

The magnitude of what needs to be done if humans are to avoid irreversible damage means that meeting the challenges can’t be left to others. Everyone can play their part, whatever their personal, social or economic circumstances . By way of helping the over-50s, RSVP has initiated a project to signpost how they can access advice and information on action they can take.

Detailed information

Two documents you can read online — or download and read at leisure — contain background information on the issues, sources of further advice and help and suggestions for ways you can contribute:

• Background to the issues (PDF; 92KB)
• Directory and factsheets (PDF; 145KB)

The files are in Adobe PDF format: if you haven’t already got it on your computer, you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader program to view and print them.

Other ways we can help

We hope that the information and advice in these two documents will help you both find the advice and information you need to reduce your impact on our environment and also that it might encourage you to join us in our quest to encourage others to take action. In addition there are two other ways in which RSVP West can help:

Specific Enquiries: Contact us by e-mail and we will endeavour to get back to you within a few days. Do provide a short summary of your query in the message, together with a contact telephone number — a short telephone conversation may be more helpful and productive than an e-mail exchange.

Presentations and talks: We are happy to come and talk to clubs, gatherings and community groups in the RSVP’s West region. Our presentations are kept short — a maximum of 15–20 minutes — to allow time for more informal interactive question and answer sessions. If you would like us to come and talk to your group or club, contact us by e-mail.

How you can help us

If you would like to join us in working to improve both the quality and extent of the information we can provide to the over 50s, then please contact us by e-mail. The contents of this section of the RSVP West Website are reviewed and refreshed quarterly and suggestions for improvements are always welcome.

© 2003–09 RSVP West. Page last updated on 30 November 2009.