The Impact and Response to Climate Change as Lived by Older Adults

Abstract A growing body of literature documents the domino effects of climate change on the planet and all life. Chief among these changes is the rise in global temperatures, triggering record numbers of heatwaves, and stronger, more dangerous hydrologic events. While climate change looms as a preeminent threat to our planet and future, the public health and human rights ramifications are already apparent. As with many issues in this realm, the effects are felt to a greater degree by our aging populations. As disasters grow in frequency, the more vulnerable populations are at greater risk for more serious outcomes – and will suffer disproportionately from the effects of climate change – resulting in greater inequalities. With the consequences of climate change growing more drastic, these outcomes can be expected to climb unless sufficient measures are enacted to combat global warming. In this symposium we will highlight the link between climate change and its impact on the human rights of older adults, and how climate change threatens progress across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) - a blueprint for a more equitable and healthier planet - if decisive actions are not taken. This symposium will demonstrate what valuable opportunities exist to accelerate progress by leveraging the links between SDGs to combat inequalities and climate change. Panelists will discuss the adverse effects of climate change, the human rights and psychological impacts on older adults, and potential action steps and strategies for older persons to become empowered as advocates for climate change reform.


THE BLUES AND OLDER MINORITY MUSICIANS XXVIII: MORE THAN JUST MUSIC
The GSA " 'Bo Diddley' Track" goes virtual again to present its 28th consecutive Annual Scientific Meeting of outstanding music, personal and musical narrative, and fun regardless of hurricanes, recessions, riots (ok-ok-so it was just a little good-natured audience rowdiness at one of the performances at GSA).Instead of the Rhythm Room or Warsaw Wally's in Phoenix, the program returns to Chicago on 11/13, 6pm Eastern with the "Sweetheart of the Blues" -Shirley Johnson, one of the famous "Mojo Mamas" performing regularly at BLUE Chicago since the 1990s.Like so many Blues artists, she started in church at age 10 and later, influenced by Mahalia Jackson, Koko Taylor, Etta James, and Ruth Brown, her music is described as a "gritty, bigvoiced blues singer" who also reaches heights of "soulful and smooth".She turns everything she does into a work of art.Grab your favorite beverage and join us for rousing music and a great party.No rioters allowed!Session 4620 (Symposium)

THE IMPACT AND RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE AS LIVED BY OLDER ADULTS
Chair: Robin Fenley Co-Chair: Toni Antonucci Discussant: Robin Fenley A growing body of literature documents the domino effects of climate change on the planet and all life.Chief among these changes is the rise in global temperatures, triggering record numbers of heatwaves, and stronger, more dangerous hydrologic events.While climate change looms as a preeminent threat to our planet and future, the public health and human rights ramifications are already apparent.As with many issues in this realm, the effects are felt to a greater degree by our aging populations.As disasters grow in frequency, the more vulnerable populations are at greater risk for more serious outcomes -and will suffer disproportionately from the effects of climate change -resulting in greater inequalities.With the consequences of climate change growing more drastic, these outcomes can be expected to climb unless sufficient measures are enacted to combat global warming.In this symposium we will highlight the link between climate change and its impact on the human rights of older adults, and how climate change threatens progress across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) -a blueprint for a more equitable and healthier planet -if decisive actions are not taken.This symposium will demonstrate what valuable opportunities exist to accelerate progress by leveraging the links between SDGs to combat inequalities and climate change.Panelists will discuss the adverse effects of climate change, the human rights and psychological impacts on older adults, and potential action steps and strategies for older persons to become empowered as advocates for climate change reform.

ino effects of climate change on the planet and all life.Chief among
these changes is the rise in global temperatures, triggering record numbers of heatwaves, and stronger, more dangerous hydrologic events.While climate change looms as a preeminent threat to our planet and future, the public health and human rights ramifications are already apparent.As with many issues in this realm, the effects are felt to a greater degree by our aging populations.As disasters grow in frequency, the more vulnerable populations are at greater risk for more serious outcomes -and will suffer disproportionately from the effects of climate change -resulting in greater inequalities.With the consequences of climate change growing more drastic, these outcomes can be expected to climb unless sufficient measures are enacted to combat global warming.In this symposium we will highlight the link between climate change and its impact on the human rights of older adults, and how climate change threatens progress across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) -a blueprin

for a more equitable and healthier planet -if decisive actions are
ot taken.This symposium will demonstrate what valuable opportunities exist to accelerate progress by leveraging the links between SDGs to combat inequalities and climate change.Panelists will discuss the adverse effects of climate change, the human rights and psychological impacts on older adults, and potential action steps and strategies for older persons to become empowered as advocates for climate change reform.


PSYCHOLOGICAL RISK AND RESILIENCE OF OLDER PEOPLE'S EXPOSURE TO CLIMATE CHANGE Toni Antonucci, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Climate change places older people at physical and psychological risk.Even small changes in temperature (+/-1 degree) results in increased morbidity and mortality.Further, the burden of climate change is not borne equally.The stress and mental ill health associated with disasters are especially borne by women, older adults, persons of color, low-income populations, those with preexisting conditions, poor support networks, and those residing in sub-standard housing.Older people are disproportionately represented in these
 Innovation inAging, 2021, Vol. 5, No. S1

PSYCHOLOGICAL RISK AND RESILIENCE OF OLDER PEOPLE'S EXPOSURE TO CLIMATE CHANGE Toni Antonucci, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Climate change places older people at physical and psychological risk.Even small changes in temperature (+/-1 degree) results in increased morbidity and mortality.Further, the burden of climate change is not borne equally.The stress and mental ill health associated with disasters are especially borne by women, older adults, persons of color, low-income populations, those with preexisting conditions, poor support networks, and those residing in sub-standard housing.Older people are disproportionately represented in these


