Aird: Ottawa seniors are ready to take on climate change

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Two weeks ago, On Oct. 1, older adults in more than 70 cities and towns across Canada chose to brand the underwhelmingly celebrated National Seniors Day as the first National Seniors for Climate Day. Events included rallies, parades, rocking-chair “sit-ins,” panel discussions, participatory roundtables and more.

All this emerged from an idea hatched just a few months ago. It was beautifully orchestrated with a minimal budget and a very inclusive touch by a handful of organizations and people, and by whoever put their hand up in each of the participating communities. It had a “time has come” feel to it.

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I am definitely not against the idea of a day to simply celebrate seniors as seniors, which is the original point of National Seniors Day. At 65, I’m now officially in this demographic, which accounts for almost one-fifth of the Canadian population. (If the bar is set at 60, we account for more than one-quarter of the population.) So, all you younger folks,  please remember that the person you see as “old” is ripe with a lifetime of experiences, stories, sorrows and accomplishments.

But to recast Oct. 1 as National Seniors for Climate Day is to recognize and accept an ongoing responsibility to influence the issue that will most impact humanity and life on the planet for decades and centuries after we are gone.

Having recently joined the Ottawa chapter of Seniors for Climate Action Now (SCAN Ottawa), I put an oar in with those who organized the events in Ottawa. We did some cool things. We got the city to proclaim Oct. 1 National Seniors for Climate Day. More than 30 of us learned and “flash mobbed” (several times) the very fun Discobedience dance. We brought together six local organizations working on climate issues, to profile solutions and actions and to boost cross-collaboration. We were entertained by raging grannies and local musicians. We defied the notion that engagement is inevitably onerous and boring.

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The bigger reality is that there is a solid suite of technological, economic, organizational and nature-based solutions to turn the climate crisis around. Implementing these solutions will not only make a liveable future possible, it will make that future cleaner, greener and more prosperous — in the best and original sense of that word, which is derived from the Latin prosperāre, meaning “to make happy.” There are lots of people in politics, in bureaucracies, in businesses and in not-for-profit organizations who are working really hard and smart to shift policy and investment towards these solutions. There are incredibly wise and inspirational youth engaging as if and because their futures depend on it.

Given these conditions, what more is needed? You, my fellow senior. Given our demographic prominence and the fact that most of us vote, our voice matters. Individuals willing to literally just show up to make clear they care are what builds the political will to carry change. So join an occasional demonstration, make a punchy sign, put your signature to a petition, talk to a politician, write a letter, dance in a flash mob. Of course if you’re inclined, you could do more. But don’t let that stop you from doing an important bit.

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There’s something to be said for the term “elder” over “senior,” because “senior” is a statement of fact, while “elder” is an honorific. There’s lots of ways to be and things to do to deservedly earn that honorific. For my part, I’m hoping that taking the long view, stepping out into the “less to lose” reality of this stage of life, and helping to loosen up the vibe while supporting action on the pivotal cause of our time will gain me some points towards the title.

C’mon, it will be fun.

Rebecca Aird is a member of SCAN Ottawa and incoming co-chair of the Ottawa Climate Action Fund.

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