It's great to read something about the secondary effects of climate change. HIV/AIDS is already a huge problem, which is only be added to by the effects of climate change. Working for HelpAge International we find that a lot of the time, it is older people who become carers to AIDS orphans, yet they are offered little support.
If older people were listened to, they could use their experience and knowledge to join and contribute to the climate change debate. However, at best they are considered a 'vulnerable group' and at worst, are excluded and ignored. People forget that they have years of experience predicting weather patterns and using traditional methods to ensure their crops grow so that they can provide for their families. Now that climate change is jeopardising their livelihoods, they are being kept in the dark as to why this happening and how they can mitigate its effects.
29 October 09 | smarzouk
Older people and climate change
It's great to read something about the secondary effects of climate change. HIV/AIDS is already a huge problem, which is only be added to by the effects of climate change. Working for HelpAge International we find that a lot of the time, it is older people who become carers to AIDS orphans, yet they are offered little support.
If older people were listened to, they could use their experience and knowledge to join and contribute to the climate change debate. However, at best they are considered a 'vulnerable group' and at worst, are excluded and ignored. People forget that they have years of experience predicting weather patterns and using traditional methods to ensure their crops grow so that they can provide for their families. Now that climate change is jeopardising their livelihoods, they are being kept in the dark as to why this happening and how they can mitigate its effects.