Tuesday, Oct. 1, marks National Seniors Day, and a group of British Columbia elders will be taking it as an opportunity to bring greater attention to the climate crisis.
The initiative, named Seniors Climate Action Day (SCAD), is a collaboration between the Suzuki Elders (part of the David Suzuki Foundation), SPEC Elders (Society Promoting Environmental Conservation), and Seniors for Climate. Private citizens are welcome to participate as well.
“We are urging seniors to organize or participate in large and small ways, from a neighbourhood barbecue discussion to public meetings, park gatherings and demonstrations, designed to engage with elected officials," said SPEC Guiding Elder Carole Christopher, via a press release. “Our goal is to locally demonstrate our collective influence in demanding immediate climate action.”
David Suzuki added: “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."
The SCAD initiative has created an online map that displays where seniors-based climate actions are taking place across Canada. The map will evolve in real time to reflect the addition of new actions.
The initiative points out that one in five British Columbians is a senior citizen, making them a demographic that “holds significant sway in shaping political decisions.”
The Government of Canada describes National Seniors Day as “an occasion for all Canadians to join in celebrating older adults across Canada — whether a parent, a co-worker, a neighbour or a friend.”
Individuals seeking more information about SCAD, or who would like to become involved, are encouraged to email: [email protected].
