Concern about climate change is not limited to the young, a new survey shows. A mere 5.8% of over 50s are dismissive of the risks, researchers at UCL found. Nearly two thirds (61%) of those questioned were highly or somewhat “engaged”with the potential dangers. However, such anxiety was most prevalent among those still in their 50s. Some (11%) in their 70s, 80s and older were “risk aware but fatalistic – that is, aware of the adverse consequences of climate change but believing it is too late to do anything about it”. The study’s lead author Dr Giorgio Di Gessa said: “It is often assumed that older generations do not care about climate change – but our study shows this is not the case. Most older adults are concerned about the climate. They believe climate change is happening and has not been exaggerated and view it as severe enough to warrant action.”
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