Program on the Environment

What will the world look like in 50 years? Climate change promises warmer temperatures and higher sea levels. An aging population promises a world in which older adults outnumber children. These environmental and demographic shifts have substantial implications for how our society will be structured, yet they are rarely considered together. This disconnect represents a missed opportunity to enact effective, long-term change that addresses both challenges. Recognizing the need to adapt on multiple fronts, my project aimed to identify opportunities for collaboration between environmental and age-friendly initiatives. These partnerships can optimize resources and help build a world that is both sustainable and supportive of aging populations.

I interned with Age Friendly Seattle, a citywide initiative improving the livability of current and future older adults. There, I conducted community outreach and researched potential areas of collaboration with environmental efforts. Methods included a survey of 71 older adults in the Greater Seattle Area, 15 semi-structured interviews with environmental and age-friendly leaders using snowball sampling, and a review of existing literature. My findings highlight three key pathways for cross-sector collaboration: (1) making environmental volunteerism age-friendly, (2) demystifying and promoting the accessibility of low-emission transportation options, and (3) protecting older adult populations during climate-related disasters. These partnerships improve the health and well-being of older adults and lessen the impacts of climate change. As the world faces intersecting demographic and environmental challenges, we can engage in innovative partnerships at all levels to practically and holistically strengthen community resilience.