Why we need to talk about older people and climate change in Africa

Aging Population in Africa and the Impact of Climate Change

Africa is often viewed as a relatively young continent, with less than 7% of the population over 60. But this is set to change. Declining fertility rates and increasing life expectancy mean that by 2050, the number of people over 60 in Africa is projected to triple to 235 million (about 9% of the African population).

The Impact of Climate Change on Older Adults in Africa

This demographic shift is occurring when global climate change is intensifying, leading to more frequent and severe extreme weather events such as heatwaves, flooding, and tropical cyclones.

By 2050, older adults in Africa are projected to face significantly higher heat exposure due to rapid population growth and climate change, with an increase in extreme heat events. This will heighten health risks and put pressure on local services, especially in low-income areas with limited ability to cope with the strain.

As we age, it gets harder to control body temperature. Longtime health issues like heart and lung disease and diabetes make older people more likely to become dehydrated.

In Africa, many older people struggle to get the physical, mental, social, and financial support they need to cope with the direct and indirect effects of extreme weather.

Strategies to Protect Older People from Extreme Weather

Urgent strategies are therefore needed to protect older people from extreme weather such as heatwaves. These include cooling infrastructure (air conditioning) and early warning systems that tell older people when it is getting dangerously hot. Climate change adaptation plans must be integrated with policies on aging to protect older people.

Key Issues in Africa

Climate change is harsh on older people. Older individuals with weaker physical health, reduced mobility, and higher risk of existing disease are vulnerable to climate-related threats.

In Africa, older people are at greater risk because the continent has limited basic infrastructure. Poverty, living alone, and depending on small-scale farming make them even more susceptible to extreme weather.

The impact of climate change disproportionately affects the continent, resulting in severe floods, droughts, and unprecedented heatwaves.

Prolonged droughts and crop failures make food shortages worse and mean that older people are unable to access healthy, nutritious food.

Floods contribute to displacement and difficulties in accessing healthcare, resulting in stress and anxiety.

Older people are also affected by the digital divide, as they may not have as much access to digital tools like smartphones to get the information they need.

Solutions

1. Traditional knowledge: Recognizing the valuable knowledge older people have about their local environment can help communities adapt to climate change and strengthen local community resilience.
2. Regular assessments: Monitoring how older people are coping with climate impacts will lead to more effective adaptation strategies that make use of their insights.
3. Healthy aging: Supporting older people to take care of their bodies, minds, and social lives helps prevent illness and disabilities and allows them to cope with extreme weather.
4. One-stop shops for older people: Setting up community-based centers to provide services specifically tailored for older people, such as financial assistance, healthcare, and nutrition support.
5. Involve older people in climate adaptation: Including older people in disaster risk reduction plans through their local organizations.

Policy Changes Needed

For these solutions to become a reality, policies and budgets are needed.

First, policymakers should consult older people and their representatives when they draw up climate resilience strategies. Region-specific strategies are best.

Second, age-friendly infrastructure, such as accessible healthcare facilities and housing that can withstand extreme weather, must be set up.

Third, stronger laws and political commitment will result in stronger policies for older people.

Fourth, social protection systems such as cash transfer programs must be improved to give financial help to vulnerable older people.

To make this happen, governments and institutions must start collecting more data on how older people are affected by climate change. By developing inclusive policies, we can promote healthy aging while empowering older adults to play an active role in building climate resilience.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The article discusses the health risks faced by older adults in Africa due to extreme weather events and climate change. It highlights the challenges they face in controlling body temperature and the increased risk of dehydration. SDG 3 aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, making it directly relevant to the issues discussed.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The article mentions the limited basic infrastructure in Africa, especially in rural areas, which affects the access to healthcare, clean water, and emergency services for older people. SDG 11 focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, making it connected to the issues highlighted in the article.

SDG 13: Climate Action

The article emphasizes the impact of climate change on older people in Africa, including severe floods, droughts, and heatwaves. SDG 13 aims to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, making it directly relevant to the issues discussed.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article mentions the need for partnerships between policymakers, community organizations, and older people to address the challenges and implement solutions. SDG 17 focuses on strengthening partnerships for the achievement of the SDGs, making it connected to the issues highlighted in the article.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being

The article highlights the health risks faced by older people, including the increased vulnerability to non-communicable diseases due to extreme weather events. Target 3.4 aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases, making it relevant to the issues discussed.

Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations

The article mentions the impact of extreme weather events on older people, including deaths, displacement, and difficulties in accessing healthcare. Target 11.5 aims to reduce the number of deaths and people affected by disasters, making it relevant to the issues discussed.

Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

The article emphasizes the need to protect older people from the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events. Target 13.1 aims to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards, making it directly relevant to the issues highlighted in the article.

Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships

The article emphasizes the importance of partnerships between policymakers, community organizations, and older people to address the challenges and implement solutions. Target 17.17 aims to promote effective partnerships, making it connected to the issues discussed in the article.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, the following indicators could be relevant to measure progress towards the identified targets:

Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease

This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases. It would assess the impact of extreme weather events on the mortality rate of older people due to these diseases.

Indicator 11.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population

This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 11.5, which aims to reduce the number of deaths and people affected by disasters. It would assess the impact of extreme weather events on older people, including deaths, displacement, and difficulties in accessing healthcare.

Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population

This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 13.1, which aims to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards. It would assess the impact of extreme weather events on older people, including deaths, displacement, and difficulties in accessing healthcare.

Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships and civil society partnerships

This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 17.17, which aims to promote effective partnerships. It would assess the financial commitment and investment in partnerships between policymakers, community organizations, and older people to address the challenges and implement solutions.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: theconversation.com