Younger people often accuse boomers of not caring about the climate crisis we created, and that’s true for many people of my generation. A passionate organization of Canadian seniors is on a mission to prove otherwise. Read on to learn about Seniors for Climate and how we can all be part of the fight against climate change.

October 1 was the International Day of Older Persons and Canada’s National Seniors Day. On that day, seniors across Canada gathered in over 70 events to call for decisive action to address the environmental emergency.

Hearing about the action by our seniors inspired me to learn more. I discovered the demonstrations were an initiative of a project called Seniors for Climate.

About Seniors for Climate

Seniors for Climate (SFC) is a project founded by six seniors’ climate action groups. I’ve included links to their websites below if you want to learn more about what each group does. Some of the names and acronyms are amazing. I especially like GASP.

• Suzuki Elders
• Climate Action for Lifelong Learners (CALL)
• Grand(m)others Act to Save the Planet (GASP)
• Climate Legacy
• Seniors for Climate Action Now! (SCAN!)
• For Our Grandchildren (4RG)

The goal of Seniors for Climate participants is to use the power of their votes, and their economic and social influence, to put pressure on governments and businesses to step up their game when it comes to environmental policies.

I couldn’t summarize their mission any better than they do on their website, so here’s a direct quote:

We’re seniors deeply alarmed by the climate crisis. One in four Canadians—we have outsized political, economic and social power. And we vote!

Our goal is to build a cross-Canada community of seniors to create a liveable future. We have a major role to play and we have motive, commitment and opportunity.

Along with our children and grandchildren, we face a climate emergency. We need faster and better climate action. Later Is Too late!”

Considering my passion for sustainability, I was disappointed that I didn’t hear about the October 1 events in time to participate. I’m now following Seniors for Climate on X, Facebook, and Instagram so I can stay informed about future events.

Take the Seniors for Climate pledge

Canadian seniors can join the Seniors for Climate movement by taking the pledge committing to individual action and collaboration with other activists. I’ve copied the entire text of the pledge below because it’s worth the time to read and reflect—even if you’re not a Canadian senior.

The Pledge 

I share a vision of possibility, a hopeful look forward to what our shared planet could become. I will help to make common cause for the common good. 

I will celebrate the beauty of the natural world. All of us depend on it and need to share its abundance equally. 

I understand that climate breakdown affects us all. And I commit to protecting all of us from this threat. This includes all living things that share our Earth. 

In pledging support to future generations, I recognize the debt we owe to Indigenous wisdom: the decisions we make today must assure a better future for the seven generations that will come after us. I will bring my skills, compassion and resources to join with others in a movement for environmental justice. I pledge to use my voice and my vote to protect future generations. 

Later Is Too Late! 

If you’re a Canadian senior, will you join me and take the pledge? Here’s the link: 

https://actionnetwork.org/forms/seniors-for-climate-national-pledge?source=email&

Let’s keep in touch! Join my mailing list and I’ll email you when I add a new post.

It’s easy to feel that, as individuals, we can’t solve the climate crisis and our actions don’t matter. But initiatives like Seniors for Climate are an important reminder of the power of our votes, our spending, and what we can achieve by joining forces. Together we can make a difference.

Knowledge is one of our best weapons against climate change. Continue your learning on the Seniors for Climate resources page.  And, of course, our Climate Change Collective series is an excellent resource.

Are you involved in any climate activism groups? Drop me a comment below to let me know.