CIHR-funded project empowers older adults as co-researchers to drive climate action and build resilient communities

The Championing Older Adults for Leadership in Environmental Sustainability and Climate Empowerment (COALESCE) – Phase I project is paving the way for older adults to become active leaders in climate action. By engaging seniors as co-researchers, the initiative empowers them to shape climate-resilient communities and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) under the Community-Based Research in Climate Change Priority Areas Catalyst Grant Competition (Climate Justice Pool), COALESCE – Phase I underscores the vital role of older adults in climate resilience. This funding will enable seniors to take an active role in understanding and addressing the environmental challenges affecting their health and communities.

A unique approach: Seniors as climate co-researchers

COALESCE – Phase I equips older adults with the tools and knowledge to monitor environmental factors such as air quality and humidity using home-based sensors. This data will provide valuable insights into the impacts of climate change on their health and living conditions. The project also incorporates a realist review, a research approach that synthesizes existing data to explore the mechanisms driving climate change’s effects on older populations.

Beyond data collection, this initiative fosters agency and leadership among older adults, ensuring that they are not just recipients of climate interventions but active participants in shaping solutions.

Laying the foundation for a national and global movement

COALESCE – Phase I is more than a local research project—it serves as a pilot for a national initiative that envisions older adults across Canada as citizen scientists. Future phases (II and III) will expand its scope, establishing an international community of practice to facilitate global knowledge-sharing on climate resilience among seniors.

Project leadership

COALESCE – Phase I is led by:

• Dr. Mei Fang (Principal Investigator)
• Ms. Annwen Loverin (Community Lead)

With high-level strategic insight provided by:

• Professor Andrew Sixsmith (Senior Research Advisor)

Supported by a distinguished team of co-investigators and researchers from the Department of Gerontology (Pauly & White) and the Urban Studies Program (Zhu) at Simon Fraser University, Urban Forestry (Sheppard & Stern) at the University of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver (Kupferschmidt), and international partners in the UK (Woolrych, Sixsmith J. & Fowler-Davis), the project brings together a diverse range of expertise to drive meaningful impact.

Goal & Aim

The project’s primary goal is to understand how climate change affects older adults in Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, while equipping them with the skills and resources to take action. Given that older adults are among the most vulnerable to climate-related risks, COALESCE – Phase I aims to develop community-driven interventions that enhance climate resilience.

Long-term objectives include:

• Engaging seniors as citizen science co-researchers to collect data and develop locally informed climate solutions.
• Partnering with seniors’ centres, including the Silver Harbour Centre, to co-develop educational resources and community interventions.
• Collaborating with community organizations, government, and industry partners to promote climate-resilient, Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (AFCCs).
• Building an international knowledge-sharing network to connect seniors engaged in climate action worldwide.

Why it matters

The COALESCE – Phase I project is a pioneering effort that not only recognizes the climate vulnerabilities faced by older adults but also positions them at the forefront of climate solutions. By transforming seniors into climate leaders, this initiative fosters stronger, more resilient communities prepared to navigate the challenges of a changing climate.

This is just the beginning—COALESCE is laying the groundwork for a future where older adults lead the charge in environmental sustainability, climate advocacy, and community resilience.