If you care about climate change and want to do something about it, there is good news: you’re more powerful than you think.
The numbers show that elders make up the lion’s share of voters when it comes to making climate voting priority number 1. A 2025 report from the Environmental Voters Project tells the story.
More than one-third (34.3%) of voters who name climate as their top policy priority are 65 or older, according to the report. No other age group comes close to this level of concern about climate at the voting booth. The second largest share of climate voters (26.4%) is in the 35-49 age range, followed by 50-64 year olds (20.5%). And, perhaps surprisingly, the ones least likely to make climate their top priority when they vote are the youngest, those ages 18-34.
Not only are we elders the ones most likely to keep climate top of mind when we vote, but our strength as a voting block is growing. With 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day, elders are the fastest growing segment of the population.
At least two factors account for seniors’ great concern about climate. For many of us elders, it is our sense of deep responsibility to leave a better world for our children and grandchildren that leads us to put climate at the top of our priorities list. Additionally, many elders are understandably concerned about their own well-being. We are more vulnerable than other age groups to certain health hazards that are increasing as the planet warms. Elders, especially women and people with disabilities, are at greater risk than other groups from climate-induced hazards like more frequent, more severe heat waves.
Not only is our age group the most inclined to vote with the climate in mind, but we also have unique, valuable contributions to make in addressing the climate crisis.
As retirees, we have more time than younger people to devote to climate action. We can take the time to study and learn about the climate crisis, follow legislation, and engage in activism. Many of us have skills in community building and organizing. And many have decades of work experience in a range of relevant areas–science, writing, teaching, art, investing, and so much more. Besides, we are also the country’s wealthiest demographic, so we have the means to financially invest in climate efforts we believe in. Many of us can participate meaningfully in efforts to divest from fossil fuels and invest instead in clean energy. And we vote.
HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE CLIMATE
Riderwood residents have many opportunities to participate in climate action. The following is a short list of organizations working locally on the climate crisis, who would welcome the involvement of interested Riderwood residents:
CCAN—THE CHESAPEAKE CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK
CCAN is so effective at fighting climate change in Maryland, Virginia, and DC that international climate expert Bill McKibben calls the organization “the most effective regional climate action group in the world.”
With an army of volunteers and full-time staff, CCAN works for policies that advance renewable energy, hold data center owners to account, stop dirty, unneeded pipelines, and much more. CCAN’s presence is felt at the General Assembly in Annapolis, in Richmond, and in Congress.
CCAN’s main headquarters are in Takoma Park, and there are many ways for Riderwood residents to get involved. First, you can learn more about the climate crisis and the work CCAN is doing by visiting CCAN’s website, http://chesapeakeclimate.org/
CCAN staff want to know what kinds of volunteer opportunities interest you. So you can take a volunteer survey by clicking on this link. https://act.chesapeakeclimate.org/page/13444/subscribe/1
After you submit your answers, you will hear from an organizer about some good ways for you to get involved, either from your own apartment or out in the community.
THIRD ACT MARYLAND
Many elders in Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties, and throughout the state are active with Third Act Maryland. Third Act is a national organization of more than 50,000 people over 60, organized by state chapters. Members advocate for climate action, community resilience, and democracy.
Why the name Third Act? The Third Act for us at Riderwood is now, our retirement years. Act 1 was youth; Act 2 was career and parenting. Through Third Act, elders here in suburban Maryland, around the state and the nation, are demonstrating strength in a variety of practical ways that are making a difference in legislatures, in city and county governments, and in public utility commissions.
To get started with Third Act Maryland, visit the website https://thirdact.org/maryland/ and sign up to receive Third Act Maryland’s weekly e-newsletter. Each issue offers concrete actions one can take, from home and one’s computer and phone, and in-person out in the wider community.
You can also join one of Third Act Maryland’s working groups. These are volunteer-led groups mostly organized by geographic location, although some are organized by interest, such as faith, education, or legal interest.
Working groups typically meet on zoom, with members combining their expertise, learning from and supporting each other in climate efforts. Working groups may decide to participate in protests, testify at public hearings, organize a divestment campaign from banks that fund fossil fuel companies, and much more.
According to Third Act Maryland’s Communications and Volunteer Coordinator Rob Wald, “working groups in our suburban Maryland area are doing a lot, and they would welcome new members from Riderwood.” Wald stresses that there are plenty of volunteer opportunities for Riderwood residents, regardless of mobility or interest.
ELDERS PROMOTE THE VOTE
The Environmental Voter Project estimates that more than 11 million environmentalists did not vote in the November 2024 election. In fact, many seniors who identify as environmentalists are not consistent voters. The good news, though, is that these voters have shown they can be easily persuaded to vote. Elders Promote the Vote, a collaboration of Elders for Climate Action and the Environmental Voter Project, works to turn non-voting environmentalists into consistent voters. Elders participate in these efforts through phone banking, post card writing, canvassing, and other outreach efforts. To get involved, click on this link: https://www.environmentalvoter.org/get-involved
SENIOR STEWARDS ACTING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT (SSAFE) SSAFE exists to empower elders to lead climate action in their retirement communities and to advance clean energy, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. Launched in 2020, SSAFE now has 18 retirement community chapters. Riderwood is currently in the application process to become a SSAFE chapter.
A central goal of SSAFE is to help each member retirement community reduce its greenhouse gas emissions as quickly and efficiently as possible.
SSAFE offers many valuable resources, available to everyone, through its website, including a monthly newsletter highlighting successful climate and sustainability efforts at member retirement communities. Chapters receive additional benefits, including access to practical webinars and a sustainability tracking tool, as well as opportunities to share information and resources, and to collaborate with other chapters.
SSAFE is doing very good work. Feel free to visit its website. The SSAFE newsletter is full of info about encouraging actions and ideas. https://ssafe.org