We explore creative solutions and re-imagine what life as we get older can look like. Though we’re all getting older, this is about much more than our individual experiences. How can we influence the future of aging for all generations through policy, innovation and culture shift?
http://www.thefutureage.ca
episode 8: Climate Change and Aging: What is a ‘Well-Being Society’?
Host Zannat Reza and Dr. Trevor Hancock, co-founder of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, retired University of Victoria professor, and activist, as they delve into climate change through the lenses of planetary health and older adults. Trevor introduces the concept of a Well-being Society and the essential economic & mindset shifts that are required to move towards it. This includes innovative policy recommendations, like taxing robots and implementing wealth taxation,and the important changes that can be made locally and municipally.
Zannat and Trevor explore the ways that older and younger generations can be engaged and come together to create these changes, and his real-life work to make this happen in his own community. The episode concludes with a discussion on global awareness, future perspectives, and the potential for older adults to be agents of change. Listeners will be inspired to reassess their values, and join the movement towards a sustainable and thriving society.
Chapter Time Stamps:
(00:00:00) Introduction to Climate Change and Aging
Zannat Reza introduces the episode, and today’s guest, Dr. Trevor Hancock. They discuss climate change as a part of planetary health crisis, and its particular impact on older adults.
(00:04:18) Building a Well-being Society and Reshaping the Economy
Trevor explains the concept of a Well-being Society & describes the five areas of action set out by the World Health Assembly in the Geneva Charter.
(00:05:54) Calling for a Well-being Society
Zannat asks about the government response to a call for a well-being society, and Trevor outlines actions that are and can be taken by health organizations, everyday people, and municipalities.
(00:08:42) Restructuring Economics to Create Change
Trevor outlines economic policy changes necessary to move towards planetary health, and to build age-friendly communities, cities, and societies.
(00:10:05) How to Shift Mindsets and Foster Intergenerational Collaboration
How do we change our society’s core values from the economy to the ecological? Trevor delves into this, and explores how young and older people can come together to build a more sustainable future.
(00:14:09) Using Impact Networks to Create a Social Movement
Zannat introduces the concept of impact networks,and Trevor talks about the importance of creating change locally, and how Conversations for One Planet Region is engaging communities and working to create an inclusive social movement.
(00:17:35) Global Awareness and Future Perspectives
Trevor highlights other countries around the world that have well-being budgets. He goes on to explore policy recommendations for funding, such as taxing robots and implementing wealth taxation.
(00:20:56) Older Adults as Agents of Change
Zannat asks Trevor to highlight some Canadian groups of older activists. They go on to emphasize the importance of working intergenerationally and particularly, with Indigenous elders to drive meaningful change.
(00:22:42) Future of Aging: The Final 2 Questions
Trevor answers the final 2 future of aging questions we ask all our guests.
- (00:00) - Introduction to Climate Change and Aging
- (04:18) - Building a Well-being Society and Reshaping the Economy
- (05:54) - Calling for a Well-being Society
- (08:42) - Restructuring Economics to create change
- (10:05) - How to Shift Mindsets and Foster Intergenerational Collaboration
- (14:09) - Using Impact Networks to Create a Social Movement
- (17:35) - Global Awareness and Future Perspectives
- (20:56) - Older Adults as Agents of Change
- (22:42) - Future of Aging: The Final 2 Questions