To My Fellow Boomers

Bonne Fête Nationale!? Or, in English, Happy Bastille Day!? On this day in 1789, protesters took to the streets in Paris.? Rising up against the King and Queen, they stormed the Bastille, the prison fortress that symbolized the monarchy’s abuse of power.? It was considered the flashpoint that launched the French Revolution and is now a national holiday.? Today, the Olympic Torch will be arriving in Paris, coinciding with the holiday.

And what does this bit of history have to do with Baby Boomers?? Defined as the generation born between 1946 and 1964, I land squarely in the middle of this demographic.? We boomers were raised in an America bursting with social change movements after the post-World War II era; civil rights, anti-war, women’s rights, the environment, to name a few.? In the 70’s, I was an activist focused on the environmental movement, specifically the growth of organic agriculture, food co-ops and other alternatives to agribusiness.? One noteworthy campaign at that time was the Nestle boycott.? I organized our local INFACT chapter in Pittsburgh.? Like most people in their 20’s, I was filled with optimistic idealism.? “We can change the world!”? One important lesson I learned from that boycott is that when a critical mass of consumers collectively change their buying habits, we can impact corporate titans and make a significant difference in people’s lives.? Like the French revolutionaries who “stormed the Bastille,” we helped launch several social movements that are still very much alive today.? Unlike the French revolutionaries, we are seeing significant backsliding in many areas 50 years later.

Now, as a semi-retired boomer, I look around and see the concerns we had about the environment becoming our reality.? You don’t have to look too hard for it.? Every week there is some news story about another record being broken – heat waves, hurricanes, wildfires, you name it.? Meanwhile, we have bought a story, a relatively new narrative historically, that says it’s time to slide.? At least for some of us.? Recent census data reported about 56 million people 65 or older in the US.? Of that number 17 million (almost one third) are economically insecure.? And whether you have the means to be economically secure or insecure, the ageist culture of our current society keeps reinforcing a message that could show up in a variety of voices, some like a Siren, some shrill:

• “Poppies… you’ve done your part, it’s time to relax, go to Phoenix, play golf and drink your cocktails…Poppies…”
• “Oh, thanks for your thoughts on this.? I realize you spent decades becoming a subject matter expert here but, you know, the field has advanced and we know better!”
• “Ugh – look at these poor old folks!? God, just shoot me if I look like that when I’m older.”?

The main message here is that it’s time to park it.? Go make yourself small.? You don't add value anymore.? Is it any wonder that we have an epidemic of loneliness and social isolation among seniors?? Quoting a study from the National Academies, the CDC listed the following health risks related to loneliness and social isolation:?

• Social isolation significantly increased a person’s risk of premature death from all causes, a risk that may rival those of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.
• Social isolation was associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia.
• Poor social relationships (characterized by social isolation or loneliness) was associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke.
• Loneliness was associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide.
• Loneliness among heart failure patients was associated with a nearly 4 times increased risk of death, 68% increased risk of hospitalization, and 57% increased risk of emergency department visits.

If this is our current culture, it’s time to embrace our original name, The Counterculture!? Status quo looks pretty bleak – both for us and for the world.? And it’s easy to feel paralyzed or helpless in the face of such an immense issue like our climate emergency. ?What would it take to rekindle that spirit of energy and excitement to really make a difference??

Coming back to the idea of impacting large corporations, one group we need to impact is Big Oil and the banks that finance them. These companies are still investing in oil and gas exploration, development and more infrastructure, despite the fact that peak oil is right on the horizon, possibly as soon as next year.? Don’t be lulled by the greenwashing ads out there.? (Click here for a very funny irreverent parody of one.)? We baby boomers and the “silent generation” ahead of us control 70% of the country’s financial assets.? What we collectively do with our money matters.? Check out this edition of 52 Weeks for more ideas (Follow the Money).?

If you want to engage more and feel stuck, I highly recommend a resource from the Climate Mental Health Network; the Taking Action and Self Care Worksheet.? This tip sheet is a guide for a focused reflection.? After taking a few minutes to simply settle into yourself (use whatever method works for you – slow breaths, brief meditation, journaling, etc.) think about your vision of the world.? What do you hope to pass on to the next few generations?? Finding what inspires YOU is a key step before you decide WHAT you want to do and HOW you want to do it.?

OK Boomers – it’s time to come off the sidelines.? Rekindle that passion for social change and commit to adding your decades of wisdom and experience to this once-in-a-planet opportunity.? There is absolutely no question about the value we can add!

Resources:

• Third Act
• Aging and Climate Change Clearinghouse
• Elders Climate Action

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