How climate change affects older Australians

Protecting future generations

Climate change is upon us but it's the next two generations who will feel the impact of the greenhouse pollution we generate today. The decisions we make in the next 10 years will have a big effect on the lives of our children and grandchildren. This explains why most older Australians who take action on climate change do so for the benefit of their families.

"Sea level rise and more intense tropical cyclones threaten many coastal communities, including many where retirees are living like the Cairns and Gold Coast regions …

"We should act now for the sake of our children and grandchildren, if not for our own.”

Dr A Barrie Pittock, former head of CSIRO Climate Impacts Group

Heat stress

Climate scientists tell us that without immediate action to reduce emissions, Australia is expected to warm by between one and six degrees Celsius by 2070. Elderly people living in urban areas are worst affected by the heat stress of very hot days, such as Sydney’s New Year’s Day of 2006. During Europe’s August 2005 heatwave, approximately 35,000 excess deaths occurred due to heat stress, the majority of them being elderly citizens.

Respiratory problems

Illness such as asthma will increase as smog worsens. In Australia, more hot days expected with climate change will create more of the conditions that are ideal for smog formation: the combination of high temperatures, pollution and sunlight, according to medical research.

Water shortages

In a hotter climate water shortages will worsen. Bowling greens and parks will be affected as well as private gardens. Unfortunately, this will have a substantial effect on the leisure time activities of retirees.

Food and water-borne disease

Climate change increases the risk of food and water-borne diseases, which will have their greatest effect on society’s most vulnerable citizens. Increased temperatures provide more opportunities for various viruses, bacteria and parasites to contaminate food, and cause gastrointestinal diseases, according to Climate Action Network Australia.

Rising food prices

Food prices, especially for staples, are expected to rise because of water shortages and environmental disasters such as cyclones or floods; the skyrocketing banana prices in the wake of Cyclone Larry are one example. Because older Australians spend a higher proportion of their income on staples such as bread, milk, fruit and vegetables, the household budgets of many in this age group may be hit harder as food costs rise.

Cyclones and flooding

Homes in coastal areas which are popular with retirees may be affected by climate change impacts, as well as associated increases in insurance premiums. For example, the CSIRO predicts tropical cyclone intensity in Northern Queensland to increase by 20 per cent, and predicts the area in Cairns affected by “one in a hundred year” floods from cyclones and flooding to double.

Loss of holiday destinations

Unfortunately, peaceful rainforests and pristine beaches will become increasingly degraded by climate change. Ecosystems recognised as being most vulnerable include alpine regions, reefs, tropical rainforests and coastal wetlands. Storm surges and sea level increases will affect coastal areas throughout Australia.

Further reading

Climate Change: Turning up the Heat, by Dr. Barrie Pittock, 2005, CSIRO Publishing.

References

Climate and chronic respiratory disease in Sydney - The case of asthma (1993) Climatic Change, volume 25, p. 405.
Social Impacts of Climate Change, Climate Action Network Australia.
Australian Social Trends, Australian Bureau of Statistics,  2006.
Climate change and Australia’s coastal communities, CSIRO information brochure, 2002.