On Earth Day 2025, HelpAge USA and the University of Southern California Institute on Inequalities in Global Health (IIGH) co-hosted a global webinar on the critical intersection of climate change, older people, and community action. The event spotlighted the views of HelpAge USA’s Friendship Bench DC Grandparents, alongside global examples of how older people are leading the way in responding to climate-related challenges.
Moderated by Jonathan Cohen—HelpAge USA board member, USC professor, and IIGH Director of Policy Engagement—the webinar featured panelists Ritu Sadana from the World Health Organization, Quyen Tran from HelpAge International, and Friendship Bench DC Grandparents Scarlett Small and Tuere Marshall. Together, they explored the unequal impacts of climate change on the health of older people and how older people themselves are coming together to lead, advocate, and drive community change.
Centering the Friendship Bench DC Grandparents
Two Grandparents from HelpAge USA’s Friendship Bench DC program—Scarlett Small and Tuere Marshall—joined the panel to share their perspectives on aging in a rapidly changing climate. They highlighted that, while older people face heightened risks from the effects of climate change, they are also taking an active role in finding solutions by offering their wisdom, leadership, and unique expertise.
“The changes in weather are becoming more extreme. As older people, we feel the effects more directly, but we’re also using our voices to make sure people in our communities are aware of how to protect themselves.”
— Tuere Marshall, Friendship Bench DC Grandparent“Older adults have witnessed many changes in their lifetimes, and now, we see firsthand how the environment is impacting our communities. It’s time for us to take action, not just for us, but for future generations.”
— Scarlett Small, Friendship Bench DC Grandparent
Their voices underscored the strength of older people, showing that they are not passive recipients of care but active leaders in promoting climate resilience and community-led solutions around mental health such as Friendship Bench DC.
The Global Picture: Older People’s Associations and Climate Resilience
Building on these insights, the webinar also highlighted the work of HelpAge’s Older People’s Associations (OPAs)—community-based groups that offer a wide range of activities and benefits for older people while providing a platform to exercise their voices, advocate for their communities, raise awareness, and exert their rights.
In countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia, OPAs are organizing to:
- Promote climate-resilient farming practices
- Reduce exposure to air pollution through the distribution of masks and clean cooking materials
- Support community-based care, including social services, personal support, and healthy aging initiatives
- Lead local climate adaptation and mitigation strategies
These examples demonstrate that when older people are mobilized and empowered, they become leaders in building healthier, more equitable, and sustainable communities.
“The biggest challenge is that people still see older adults as frail and needy. But if we organize older people, they will amaze you.”
— Quyen Tran, HelpAge International Climate Advisor and HelpAge Asia Regional Representative
The webinar also shed light on information from the World Health Organization (WHO) about the increased health risks older people face from climate change, including heat-related illnesses and the spread of infectious diseases. During the webinar, Dr. Ritu Sadana from WHO emphasized that addressing these risks requires centering older people in climate and health policy to ensure they are not left behind.
Confronting Global Health Inequalities Together
Climate change is more than just an environmental threat—it’s a public health emergency rooted in justice, especially for older people in marginalized and underserved communities around the world.
In the words of Friendship Bench DC Grandparent Tuere Marshall: “I’ve got 20 more years—and I want to live them with dignity, in community, and in a healthy environment.”
This powerful statement serves as a call to action to prioritize the health and well-being of older people in the face of climate change. By connecting global research, lived experience, and local leadership, we can highlight age-based disparities, showcase how older people are advancing health and equality, and advocate for inclusive policies at the local, national, and international levels.
