Baby Boomers Aged 60 and Up Contributes Largest Greenhouse Gas Emissions

A new study suggests that individuals who belong in the age group of 60 years and above are responsible for a large chunk of greenhouse gas emissions, which impact the climate footprint significantly.

New Elderly Over 60 Years Old Responsible for Larger Carbon Footprint

The actions of the seniors, according to climate research, account for approximately 25 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions that were measured in 2005. By 2015, the contribution increased to 33 percent.

Norwegian University of Science and Technology's Industrial Ecology Programme expert Edgar Hertwich, who also authored the study, explained that older adults used to be thrifty during their time. Most of them who experienced World War II's events developed a better sense of responsibility for their resources, he added.

But compared to these older people, the 'new elderly were significantly different, according to Hertwich. Based on the analysis of greenhouse gas emissions in 2005, 2010, and 2015, it was discovered that senior citizens over 60 years of age performed the worst in terms of climate footprint.

The periodical analysis, according to EurekAlert, included the populations from 27 countries in Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Norway, Australia, and Japan.

The so-called post-war 'baby-boomer' group is considered the new elderly. Data shows that this group had a significantly different consumption pattern than the 'quiet generation,' Hertwich continued.

The quiet generation is older seniors who were born between 1928 to 1945. The new wave of older adults, on the other hand, spent more of their revenues on energy consumption, houses, and food.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions According to Age Groups

The records in 2005 showed that people over 60 years old had lower emissions than age groups of 30 to 44 and 54 to 59, even though they contributed a whopping 25 percent of the estimated rates.

But in 2015, the emissions from the 60 and up increased, exceeding the contribution of the 30 to 44-year age group and matched the rates of the 45 to 59-year age group.

NTNU Department of Energy and Process Technology expert Heran Zheng, who co-authored the study, explained a possibly good reason why the 60-year-olds and up surpassed the levels of the 45 to 59 age group since 2015 and is now at the top age group contributors of the greenhouse gasses.

Among 32 countries, experts identified Japan as the leading greenhouse gas contributor. Their 60 years and up population reached over half of the combined emissions of all countries.

All surveyed 60 and up to age groups account for their emissions to local factors, compared to the younger age groups whose imported products affect other regions internationally.

Zheng said the message of this study is for political leaders to be aware of the difficulties of an aging population that could bring in the global mission to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The study's authors expect the readings from the 32 countries will double sometime between 2019 and 2050.

The study was published in the journal Nature Climate Change, titled "Aging society in developed countries challenges carbon mitigation."

Check out more news and information on Climate Change in Science Times.