General Information
Conference Theme – “Growing Old in a Changing Climate”
Population aging and climate change are two of the biggest challenges facing humanity this century. The 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) report states “There is now a strong, global scientific consensus that warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and is caused by human activity..” and resulting changes in weather patterns are “disrupting the balance of natural systems that supply the necessities of life”, namely air, water, food. At the same time, globally the proportion of people aged 60 and over is growing faster than any other age group. We saw glimpses of the disastrous effects of climate change on older adults after the 2003 heat-waves in Europe where the majority of deaths and morbidity occurred in older adults. More recently, the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health authorities recorded an additional 131 “all cause, all age” deaths during a particularly warm weather interval July 27-August 3, 2009, compared to the same calendar period 2004-2008. Most of these additional deaths were people aged 65 or older, but equally alarming is the fact that the greatest proportional increase in deaths was in the 45-65 age group (the “baby boomers”). However, extreme heat events are only one threat to human health from climate change. Warmer winters are also expected to bring increased precipitation, more severe and more frequent storms which can affect water supplies and sanitation. A Pacific Institute for Climate Change Solutions discussion paper emphasizes the need to focus attention on vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and those in sub-optimal health and socio-economic status, where climate change could have a de-stabilizing effect.
