2013 Global Ageing and Environmental Change Attitudes, Risks and Opportunities

The report examines the intersection of global demographic ageing and environmental change, highlighting that by 2050, people aged 55-plus will comprise nearly a quarter of the global population. It categorizes older people as 'contributors' (through consumption patterns), 'casualties' (due to increased vulnerability to natural disasters and pollution), and 'champions' (as a reservoir of knowledge and volunteers). A web-based survey of 1,028 individuals from Australia, Canada, the UK, USA, and Sweden reveals high levels of environmental concern and a willingness to take action, though respondents often underestimate the direct impacts of climate change on their own health and security. The document argues for 'age-proofed' policies that reduce environmental footprints, protect vulnerable seniors, and mobilize their experience for disaster risk reduction.

• By 2050, the global population of people aged 55 and over is projected to increase significantly, representing nearly 25% of the total population, with a substantial portion of this growth occurring in developing countries.
• Older people are highly vulnerable to environmental shocks and pollution; for example, in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, an estimated 64% of total deaths were among older people.
• The 'baby boomer' generation (born 1946-1964) in developed nations like the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and Sweden is associated with high carbon footprints due to lifestyles involving high car dependency and international air travel.
• A survey of 1,028 older adults across five developed countries showed that over 50% identified climate change as the most important national/global environmental issue, and 43% believe environmental problems will have gotten 'a lot worse' by 2050.
• There is a significant gap in older people's understanding of climate change; over 40% of survey respondents incorrectly identified the hole in the ozone layer as a likely consequence of climate change.
• Survey respondents generally underestimate the personal risks of climate change, with only 13% being 'very much' concerned about impacts on safety and security and 14% on health.
• A majority of older adults (85%) agree that knowing their personal ecological or carbon footprint would motivate them to make choices to reduce their environmental impact.
• Older people are viewed as a potential resource for environmental protection, with 80% of survey respondents suggesting they can contribute through changes in personal behaviour and 67% through lobbying government.
• The primary barriers preventing older people from taking environmental action are a lack of government support or incentives, as well as a lack of access to information and guidance.
• In developing countries, the vulnerability of older people is exacerbated by a lack of basic infrastructure, such as clean water and sanitation, combined with poverty and malnutrition.

APA

Haq, G., Snell, C., Gutman, G., & Brown, D. (2013). 2013 Global Ageing and Environmental Change Attitudes, Risks and Opportunities. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-ProjectReport-Haq-GlobalAgeingAndEnvironmentalChange-2013.pdf

Chicago

Haq, Gary, Carolyn Snell, Gloria Gutman, and David Brown. 2013 Global Ageing and Environmental Change Attitudes, Risks and Opportunities. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2013. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-ProjectReport-Haq-GlobalAgeingAndEnvironmentalChange-2013.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Haq |first1=Gary |last2=Snell |first2=Carolyn |last3=Gutman |first3=Gloria |last4=Brown |first4=David |title=2013 Global Ageing and Environmental Change Attitudes, Risks and Opportunities |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=2013 |url=https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-ProjectReport-Haq-GlobalAgeingAndEnvironmentalChange-2013.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{haq20132013, author = {Haq, Gary and Snell, Carolyn and Gutman, Gloria and Brown, David}, title = {{2013 Global Ageing and Environmental Change Attitudes, Risks and Opportunities}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2013}, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-ProjectReport-Haq-GlobalAgeingAndEnvironmentalChange-2013.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }