Age is no barrier to being green
Press release 11.05.09
Greener & Wiser - an older people's environment manifesto launched today
Age should not be a barrier to being green. The Greener and Wiser Taskforce’s manifesto, to be launched in London on 11 May, sheds light on the impressive potential of older people to help build more sustainable communities. The Taskforce, made up of 10 older people from around the UK, has produced their manifesto with two aims:
The Taskforce members, aged between 52 to 90, were supported by Green Alliance, Natural England and Age Concern and Help the Aged. The manifesto and recommendations were developed through an innovative process where they debated green issues with experts and with each other.
Their recommendations include:
Training older people as volunteer environmental advisers in their communities
Consulting older people at the local level to ‘age-proof’ environmental strategies
Developing intergenerational projects for young and old to explore the environment together
Appointing a high profile champion for older people and the environment, making it more relevant to older people and their lives
Reducing waste and promoting reuse
Supporting older people better in making green energy choices
Annie Ashby, Taskforce member, commented:
“Our lifestyles lend themselves to more ecologically friendly activities, such as public transport use and more economical consumption. If we promote them it’s a win-win situation for people and the planet.”
On the process, Taskforce member, Rene Seren-Date, commented;
“This project is innovative and well thought of because older people do want to play a part in saving our planet.”
Their manifesto is being launched at a Green Alliance event at 15:30 on 11 May with a panel of:
Lord Hunt. Minister of State at Defra
Members of the Greener and Wiser Taskforce
Tony Hams, Natural England Board member
David Sinclair, Head of Policy at Age Concern and Help the Aged
The event will be chaired by Stephen Hale, director of Green Alliance
Hale says;
”Green Alliance is keen to mobilise every voice possible in calling for political and public action to address climate change. The environment is often seen as an issue for young people, with older people’s views, experience and ideas in danger of being ignored. I strongly welcome the recommendations being put forward by the Greener and Wiser taskforce, with their potential to raise the profile of older people in the green debate and to support them in taking action at an individual level. As the government looks to promote green behaviour change, they would do well to listen to this Taskforce and their views on the approaches that will work for our older population.”
Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director of Age Concern and Help the Aged commented;
“Age Concern and Help the Aged aim to see older people living full and active lives. Being part of a local community, able to travel to nearby shops and services and to take part in local initiatives are key parts of this. We support the Taskforce’s desire for older people to have more direct input into decisions that affect them and for them to lead active lives as environmental advocates within their communities.”
Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England commented;
“There are 20 million people in the UK aged 50 or over - they form a vital part of the membership of conservation charities, they are dedicated users of the natural environment and they have decades of experience of environmental change. Older generations have the potential to be key ambassadors in promoting the need for protection of the natural environment and championing the types of response we need to make to climate change - we must ensure that we hear their advice and that they are fully involved in helping to shape environmental policy today."
Ends
Press contacts
Matthew Davis, Green Alliance media adviser: 07758 300 007, matthew@3-c.uk.net
Faye Scott, Green Alliance policy adviser: 020 7630 452/07932 845 330, fscott@green-alliance.org.uk
Notes for editors:
1. Greener & Wiser - an older people's manifesto on the environment www.green-alliance.org.uk
2. The taskforce members:
Annie Ashby 72, Northwood
Alfred Clemo 80, Warrington
Christine Hewitt 62, Prudhoe, Northumberland
Enid Irving 72, London
Florence Lyons 80+, Bury
Peter Evans 64, Southsea
Rene Seren-Dat 70, Sheffield
Spiwe Takura 52, Birmingham
Stephen Newman 69, Brean, Somerset
Tom Conway 90, Berwickshire, Scotland
3. The event is taking place at the Mother's Union, Mary Sumner House, 24 Tufton Street, London, SW1P 3RB, tel: 020 7222 5533 - http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=530002&y=179184&z=0&sv=SW1P+3RB&st=2&pc=SW1P+3RB&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf
4. Green Alliance is an independent think tank working to make environmental solutions a priority in British politics - http://www.green-alliance.org.uk
5. Natural England is here to conserve and enhance the natural environment, for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people and the economic prosperity that it brings - www.naturalengland.org.uk
6. Age Concern England and Help the Aged have joined together to form a single charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people - www.helptheaged.org.uk or www.ageconcern.org.uk