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Print articleLondon Mayor Ken Livingstone will speak at the London Older People's Assembly, which is an annual event where older Londoners can debate key issues of concern and express their views on how they find living in the capital. This conference will bring together climate change experts, activists and older Londoners groups to discuss how older Londoners can cut their carbon emissions. Audience members will have the opportunity to discuss the issues and receive practical advice on living a cleaner, greener lifestyle.
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said:
?London is often seen as a city of young people, yet almost 16 per cent of the city's population ? nearly 1.2 million people ? are aged 60 or over, and almost a quarter of a million people are aged over 80. We need to actively engage with London's older people if we are to make real inroads in cutting the capital's contribution to climate change.?
Graeme Matthews, Secretary of the London Older People's Strategies Group said:
?By making climate change the theme of their Fifth Annual Assembly older Londoners are signalling their determination to play their unique part in London's campaign to reduce climate change. While we are concerned with the preservation of a habitable planet for future generations we appreciate that the old, the frail and the disabled are the first to suffer from changing climate patterns and environmental degradation. We look forward to a productive and enjoyable engagement with the impressive range of expert speakers who have agreed to attend our Assembly and hope that we will be joined at City Hall by Londoners of all generations.?
Irene Willis said:
?I believe that older people have a very important role to play in tackling climate change and we need to teach our skills to the younger generation of Londoners. When I was a child we always recycled plastic bags and reused items and this is an important lesson to pass on. I believe this discussion and debate will also lead to social bonding between the generations.?
Speakers at the event, which will offer opportunities to contribute and ask questions, will include: Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London; Phil Thornhill, Coordinator of Campaign Against Climate Change; Jean Lambert, MEP; Alastair Hanton, Southwark Branch of Living Streets; Sarah Slater, London Cycling Campaign; Irene Willis, activist; Dr Gary Haq, author of 'Greening the Greys: Climate Change and the Over 50's; Ian Tanner of National Energy Action, Mark Watts, Mayor's Advisor on Climate Change; Clare Douglas, Retired & Senior Volunteers Programme (RSVP) Energy Champion; Quentin Given, Enviromental Health Manager from London Borough of Camden and Martyn Williams, Senior Campaigner at Friends of the Earth.
The conference will look at:
? Different ways older Londoners can cut their contribution to climate change from direct campaigning to energy efficiency in the home
? Dr Gary Haq will detail his research into how much of an impact the over 50s are having on climate change.
? Older and younger Londoners will debate and discuss in workshops how generations can best work together and share expertise in reducing their impact on the environment.
? Friends of the Earth will talk about their campaigning work and Jean Lambert MEP will give a European perspective.
The London Older People's Assembly will take place at City Hall from 10.30am to 4pm on Monday 9th July. It is organised by the London Older People's Strategies Group with the support of the Mayor and is now in its fifth year. Up to 300 individual older people as well as representatives from older people's organisations are expected to attend.
