When the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was established in the 1990s, negotiators focused on greenhouse gas emissions, or GHGs. They discussed mitigation actions; ways to reduce GHGs. The landmark Kyoto Protocol of 1997 (at COP 3) emphasized mitigation, with commitments from developed countries to reduce their production of and reliance on fossil fuels. The 2015 Paris Agreement set the goal of a global temperature rise of no more than 1.5 degrees centigrade by 2050. This goal would be achieved only if developed countries - the major GHG emitters - transitioned significantly to renewable energy sources. This has not happened. Countries are expanding their use of renewables but not fast enough th meet the 1.5 degree goal. Consequently, negotiators now devote considerable time to discussing adaptation - how to deal with a warming world and its consequencxes, such as wildfires, drought, intense hurricanes and typhoons... These articles relate to the imp...
I wonder what will happen to our generation as we get older? If these are the predicted and known effects of climate change on older individuals health, will we have a similar experience when we get older. Could we have adapted to deal with the issue better, or possible experience something worse because we grew up in a rapidly changing climate? https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-and-childrens-health
ReplyDeleteThe Guardian highlights a study predicting that by 2050, the heat exposure for older people will double due to climate change and an aging population. This will put an extra 250 million elderly individuals at risk, especially in poorer, hotter regions. Health systems will struggle as older people are more vulnerable to heat. The study calls for better infrastructure, healthcare, and support to protect these populations. Addressing this issue is vital to reduce the severe impacts on vulnerable communities.
ReplyDeleteThe issue of increasing heat exposure on the older generations can especially be seen in the deaths of houseless people during heat waves. According to Politico, just about half of all heat related deaths in Phoenix, AZ were people who were unhoused, and nearly all of those deaths were people over the age of 50. Climate change and the rising temperature has severe impacts on these communities that are exposed to the heat nearly 24 hours a day, and is disproportionately effecting the older generations in these situations. (Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/28/americas-hottest-city-phoenix-00158243)
ReplyDeleteClimate change can affect older generations in many negative ways. For example, Forest fires caused by climate change and human-induced activities can emit lots of smoke, which leads to air pollution and increases risk of heart attacks and asthma attacks in older people, and could worsen pre-existing conditions. Likewise, In hotter climate cities in the Southwestern US, climate change could make the climate even hotter, making the southwest an undesirable place to live, and unhealthy for older generations.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to know what types of steps need to be taken to overcome this issue. As the article noted, different countries or nations are very differently equipped to deal with these types of challenges, so I wonder what we could do collectively to actively support the older generations. This prompts me to consider not only how this might affect my parents or other relatives, but also how it might affect myself and my own generation.
ReplyDeleteClimate change will not affect older generations as much as it will affect newer generations and future generations to come. If climate change continues at the rate it is going the earths average temperature will continue to rise which means hotter regions will become inhabitable. Climate change can also cause droughts and extreme heat waves which will be very harmful to hotter regions and other parts of earth. Climate change will also affect future generations that live in coastal regions due to rising sea levels which can lead to flooding and loss of homes. Climate change has many other affects that are very harmful to human and animal life. Overall climate change will affect future generations more than older generations. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/06/climate-change-weather-extreme-health/
ReplyDeleteIt was very disheartening to read about the millions of individuals who will suffer from heat exposure during the summer. The climate crisis has definitely affected the elderly in a significant way. I'm from Eastern Oregon and we've had record-high temperatures during the summer months. My grandma currently lives with us, and one time she was outside during these hot temps weeding the garden, and she nearly collapsed due to heat exhaustion. We had to rush her inside and cool her off. Ever since that day, we've been careful to keep an eye on her and make sure she gets shade and plenty of water. I'm personally concerned with how the rising temperature affects other families and elderly folks who have no one to check in on them regularly.
ReplyDeleteThe climate crisis will significantly impact older generations, with heat exposure expected to double by 2050. An additional 250 million people aged 69 and above will face dangerous heat levels. Older adults are more vulnerable because they can't regulate body temperature well, often have chronic health issues, and may live alone or in poorly cooled places. Asia will see the highest exposure due to its large, aging population, but Europe and North America will also face big increases. To protect older adults, we need better access to air conditioning, more shaded areas in cities, and health systems tailored to extreme heat risks. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/may/14/heat-exposure-of-older-people-across-the-world-to-double-by-2050-finds-study?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
ReplyDeleteUltimately I would say that the climate crisis doesn't impact older generations. It is a problem that will likely not be fixed nor will it reach any sort of breaking point in their lifetime. That is why I believe it is up to us (our generation) to be the ones to take charge and correct this issue. We are the ones with the constantly developing knowledge and the power to make change. Older generations had their time but now it is ours. For information about climate change in our future but beyond the future of our older generations here is an interesting website I found: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/14/what-2050-could-look-like-if-we-dont-do-anything-about-climate-change.html
ReplyDeleteThe eldery population around the world will suffer the most as they are less physically capable handling extreme heat exposure. They are also prone to having chronic illnesses that are exacerbated by the extreme heat. Our younger generation will face the financial burden of paying the taxes so our governments implement necessary resources.
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