Warming to the older generation

7:44am Friday 11th January 2008

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OVER-50s in Selby District are being targeted in a new drive to raise awareness of global warming.

Council chiefs and academics have teamed up to ensure it is not only the younger generation playing their part in combating climate change.

Selby District Council is working alongside the Stockholm Environment Institute, at the University of York, to raise awareness and understanding.

Council leader Mark Crane, said: "Tackling the causes of climate change remains one of the council's key priorities for this year, because it is such an important issue for everyone.

"It's not just an issue for the future either, because we are seeing the affects of climate change here and now.

"This research from the Stockholm Environment Institute is a really valuable piece of work, which will be of tremendous use to us.

"Our efforts to take the lead in combating the affects of climate change will only work if we are able to engage with the local community - this survey will help us to do this more effectively."

The Stockholm Environment Institute is carrying out the work, which involves a survey of people aged over 50 to see what their current attitudes are to climate change. This is part of the Climate Talk project - which aims to raise the profile of global warming.

Dr Gary Haq, climate talk co-ordinator at the Stockholm Environment Institute, said: "This piece of work specifically targets those people over the age of 50 who live in North Yorkshire.

"We know that many younger people know a lot about climate change, its causes and possible outcomes, but we want to gauge the views of older people too, especially important in an area such as Selby with a significant older population.

"Engaging with older age groups is vital if organisations such as Selby District Council are to be successful in supporting all residents to reduce their carbon emissions."

The work is being done as part of the council's commitment to take the lead in tackling climate change locally. The council has signed the Nottingham Declaration On Climate Change, setting out a commitment to reducing carbon emissions, which cause global warming.

The authority is also consulting on a long-term climate change strategy for the district, which looks at how the council can reduce its own carbon emissions as well as working with businesses and residents to help them to minimise their own impact on climate change.

Copies of the survey are available in libraries in Selby, Tadcaster and Sherburn-in-Elmet, or can be accessed online at www.selby.gov.uk or www.climatetalk.org.uk/survey Surveys must be completed by Friday, February 22. Everyone who does so will have the chance of winning a wind-up radio or high street store vouchers.