Vancouver, BC – July 28, 2024 -Since one in four BC residents are Seniors and many are concerned about Climate Change, the upcoming Seniors Day is shaping up to be a big deal. As National Seniors Day (Oct 1) approaches, groups of Seniors, including those right here in our community are responding to a heartfelt call to action. The Suzuki Elders and the SPEC Elders (from the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation), in collaboration with the national organization, Seniors for Climate, have created an action plan. They’re calling the event “Seniors Climate Action Day” and the goal is simple – to attack the urgent climate crisis.
The numbers are on their side. Seniors make up a significant portion of the BC population and they have proven to be reliable voters so this demographic can hold significant sway in shaping political decisions. “We can all use the day to remind politicians of our economic, social, and political power,” emphasized Dan Kingsbury, a Suzuki Elders member. National Seniors Day, designated by the federal government as a day to celebrate older adults, will now also serve as a day for seniors to advocate for climate-friendly policies.
“We are urging seniors to organize or participate in large and small ways from a neighbourhood barbeque discussion to public meetings, park gatherings, demonstrations, designed to engage with elected officials,” explained SPEC Guiding Elder, Dr. Carole Christopher. “Our goal is to locally demonstrate our collective influence in demanding immediate climate action.” Each of the events or actions will go on a Climate Action Map underscoring seniors’ climate supporting acts across BC and nationwide, highlighting the growing momentum for emergency environmental solutions. The map will be used as leverage to key political and bureaucratic figures who can enact policy improvements and effective initiatives.
This is not just a public relations play, especially when one considers the Seniors’ concern for their children and grandchildren. David Suzuki expressing his support, states, “Seniors may have less of a future than the rest, but we can see what climate change is doing to our world. We need better and faster climate action now.”
For more information on how you and your community can get on the map in Seniors Climate Action Day, please contact bc-hub@seniorsforclimate.org.
