Danish seniors join climate activism wave, becoming “climate grandparents” and adopting eco-friendly lifestyles

Despite the heated debates on climate change in many Danish families, the mature and older population of Denmark has begun to embrace environmental activism. A growing number of them are becoming “climate grandparents” and defining themselves as activists. Many are part of the association Grandparents’ Climate Action, which has eight local chapters around the country with about 700 members. They frequently take to the streets, carrying signs and singing protest songs in support of the climate.

“Even our age group is aware of the climate crisis and conscious of it. We also feel the need to show that our generation wants to be active and do something,” says Alex Larsen, the association’s spokesperson.

The Grandparents’ Climate Action association aims to secure the future of coming generations. However, the majority of this mature and older demographic is not armed with signs and protest songs. Instead, they are changing their lifestyles, for example by eating less meat, according to experts and several organizations.

The senior citizens’ association, Ældre Sagen, has observed that the older generation is catching the climate wave. They now feature articles in their member magazine on how to adopt a climate-friendly lifestyle. More local chapters have also started hosting repair cafes, where members can get help repairing everything from electronics to clothes.

“This was much less common five years ago. What will the world be like for our children and grandchildren? This is a concern that greatly preoccupies our members,” says Michael Teit, Deputy Director of Ældre Sagen.

This is echoed by Lars Kjerulf Petersen, a senior researcher in environmental sociology at Aarhus University. In his recent survey, the mature and older demographic actually surpasses the younger ones in some areas of climate awareness.

“When you ask about dietary habits, you’ll find slightly more young people who are vegetarians or vegans. But if you ask about other areas, like waste sorting, it’s the older people. And it makes a difference. A large part of the carbon footprint in the wealthy, northwestern European countries is about our consumption. So everything plays a role. Consumption habits are contagious,” says Petersen.