Monday, 30 August 2021

A Generational Divide on Climate Change?

It is often claimed that, only the young (because they are more likely to be affected), care deeply about climate change. Baby boomers are said to be (selfishly) relaxed about the issue. A relatively modest UK survey of 500 people over 50, suggests this is not quite the case (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/30/over-50s-want-climate-crisis-addressed-even-if-it-leads-to-high-prices). The survey, by Rest Less, revealed that almost two thirds of their respondents wanted ministers to move much faster on climate initiatives. They wanted more action and less talk, even if this meant that products and services would, over time, be more expensive and/or harder to access. The finding is encouraging but it would be interesting to see whether this attitude was common to most over 50's in the country. Reasonably well-heeled people, who can afford to pay extra, might respond very differently to those closer to the breadline? It does, however, suggest that support for environmental change more widespread across generations than was assumed.

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