This text is part of the special Environment section
Between empathy and guilt, grandparents wonder about the place they should take in the climate crisis. A look at a generation that wants to bequeath a sustainable future to its grandchildren.
Ecological awareness is not new. Biologist Rachel Carson was one of the first to sound the alarm with her book SilentSpring, published in 1962. This work, which deals with the disastrous consequences of pesticides on the environment, had the effect of an electric shock for the environmental movement.
Jacques V. remembers coming across this book by chance at the library during his university studies in political science in the late 1970s. man, who is now 73 years old. Already at the time, I had the impression that it was midnight minus one for the environment. It was from there that I started to get involved as much as I could in the environmental movement. »
Several springs have passed since then, and Jacques V. became a father and then a grandfather. His militant flame is still present, but he admits that the nature of it has changed somewhat over time. “Now my environmental stress is about the future of my children and my grandchildren,” he explains. It saddens me a little to see that they won’t be able to enjoy the same life that I was able to have. »
Jacques V. is less involved in the field for health reasons, but he wants to use his experience to help his grandchildren “navigate through the climate crisis”. “I talk a lot with them, says the grandfather, originally from Montérégie. It’s important to me that it’s positive and solution-oriented, I don’t want to aggravate their eco-anxiety. »
Leading by example every day
According to data from the 2022 Climate Action Barometer, 90% of people aged 55 and over in Quebec believe that there is an urgent need to act. Figures that go against the popular belief that the environmental cause only affects young people.
And some grandparents want to set an example by adopting green practices. This is the case of France, 69, whose commitment to the climate goes through the choices she makes in her lifestyle. “My way of getting involved is to drive an electric car, reduce my trips and consume locally as much as possible,” explains the grandmother of four grandchildren aged 8 to 15.
The former school principal also wants to use her political voice to influence the future of her descendants. “More than ever, the environment must have an important place in the platform of the political party I want to elect,” says the Montrealer. Advocating for a strong environmental agenda is a big part of climate action in my opinion. »
Behind the desire to bequeath a planet that is not “too badly damaged” is also a certain guilt, which has increased over time. “I don’t know if it’s because it was talked about less at the time, but I think we burned the candle at both ends for a long time. Now it is future generations who must pay the price. »
Unite to fight
In Europe, several ecological groups of grandparents exist, in particular the Grandparents for the climate, in Switzerland. This organization was born out of “a generation’s concern about the risks of deteriorating living conditions on Earth”.
Their climate action involves organizing peaceful protests, promoting renewable energies and raising awareness of environmental issues. The organization is part of the International Grandparents Climate Alliance (IGCA), which has members around the world.
In Quebec, there is Parents pour le climat, but would an organization specifically for seniors be a good idea? We put the question to Annie, a 61-year-old grandmother. “I don’t know if the population pool would allow it in Quebec, but it sure could be relevant,” says the retired civil servant. Grandparents, we have different realities and thoughts, it would be nice to put it all together. »
According to Annie, for whom the environmental trigger came after her retirement, it would also be a way of bringing together all the grandparents who are wondering how to change things. “Like many, we feel a sense of helplessness. Maybe with an organization like that, we could pool our ideas to become “super grandparents,” concludes the Sherbrooke resident with a big smile.
This special content was produced by the Special Publications team of the Duty, relating to marketing. The drafting of Duty did not take part.