A passionate group of seniors gathered in front of the Fredericton legislature on Oct 1. to help push for a greener future.
Louise Comeau is the national spokesperson and project coordinator for Seniors for Climate, which is the national movement of older persons joining the fight against climate change.
“The goal was to demonstrate to younger generations that their grandparents actually care, that they’re concerned about climate change,” said Comeau.
The Seniors for Climate day of action was planned to be held on Oct. 1 due to it being recognized by the United Nations as the international day of older persons.
The rally in Fredericton was one of many held in over 70 communities across the country. Over 100 people of all ages were in attendance for speakers and music before the group marched to city hall.
According to Comeau the amount of people concerned about climate change is similar in the age 18-34 and the over 60 years-old age demographics, also noting the higher voting percentage among people in the latter age group.
“It’s absolutely inappropriate to put the burden of climate change on younger people,” said Comeau.
Fredericton’s events for the Seniors for Climate day of action also included a webinar that was hosted by Madeleine Gaudet, the president of the Stepping Stone Senior Centre. Over 80 people registered to attend the online event.
Gaudet said that older people “have a lot to make up for” when it comes to the issues of climate change due to a lack of knowledge when they were growing up.
“We owe it to the younger generations, to our children, grandchildren, others children, to spread the word that we understand where we are right now and we want to do everything that we can,” said Gaudet.
Janice Harvey, professor and coordinator of St. Thomas University’s environment and society program, attended the rally and emphasized the importance of older persons being involved in the movement.
Harvey said that she would like to see more attention paid to people of this age demographic when it comes to climate activism.
“[Seniors are] a huge bubble of the population, many of whom are now retired, who have lots of life experience, lots of skills coming out of diverse occupations and professions who are in a position to actually make a difference politically,” said Harvey.
Gaudet and Harvey both noted the importance of community at all ages when it comes to the movement against climate change.
“Sometimes we don’t realize how effective our voices can be,” said Gaudet. “Bring your friends in, bring your family in and your voice becomes so much stronger and effective.”
