Seniors can assist in preserving nature by volunteering in conservation efforts such as planting trees, cleaning up beaches, and monitoring wildlife.
When a person approaches their later years, they might tend to compare the current condition of the world to a more peaceful time. Even younger people may dismiss at first the person’s picture of how everything was but change their view once they actually see images of how things were before their day and lament the degradation. This begs the question of how elderly people can help in preserving Mother Nature.
The drive to protect nature
Part of the drive to protect the environment may have some foundation in National Senior Australia’s 2021 Seniors Survey.
The study tackled the awareness of climate change among older Australians. The data revealed that there were 85 percent of elderly Australians who attributed changes in the environment to climate change, up from 82.4 percent in 2019. When broken down by age group, a high 86.3 percent was recorded among seniors 70 to 79 years old and 85.1 percent for seniors over 80 years old. When asked about the need for action on climate change even if the price to pay was a higher cost of living, 77.3 percent agreed, up from 71.1 percent in 2019.
As for proactive measures such as investment in renewable energy, the survey tagged 60.7 percent of elderly Australians for investing in at least one form of renewable energy, with rooftop solar systems as a major choice.
Recent weather developments across Australia also drive home the narrative of how climate events may affect seniors. Some observers noted that environment/climate events have the potential to disrupt senior living, particularly in delivery of healthcare services, exacerbate deterioration of cognitive functions, and natural ageing processes.
Preserving the environment
There are numerous ways older people can contribute to preserving the environment. They already have decades of wisdom and experience to impart to the younger generation, plus hefty resources amassed from a successful career.
Organic food
A senior’s nutrition and dietetics plan may recommend consumption of organic, all-natural food items. Some observers recommend acquiring vegetables from organic farms for maximum nutrient intake, such as celery, tomatoes, spinach, kale, and peppers. If the diet includes dairy and meat products, these should be sourced from farms with established sustainable processes such as free-range coops for chicken farms, and grass feeding for cattle ranches.
There’s already numerous benefits with that eating approach. The senior would be able to absorb various important nutrients and reduce exposure to certain chemicals already present in processed food items. Organic food can be found in sustainable farms that have high standards in soil protection and growing using natural methods, such as using fertiliser and pesticides with no harmful chemicals.
Water conservation
Seniors can be guided to take shorter showers and to turn off the shower while lathering up in soap or shampoo. Some studies note that running the shower for one minute straight can waste between three to five gallons. The same principle applies when brushing teeth.
The water conservation may be augmented by overhauling the plumbing or upgrading the shower system with newer, more efficient models. A rainwater catchment system also works to reduce strain on the local water grid – and your quarterly utility bill.
Recycling programmes
Everybody is encouraged to bring out certain rubbish items to a local community recycling centre. These items include spent plastic/glass bottles, containers, aluminium cans, and paper such as old newspapers, magazines, and spent sheets. Each state and territory has their own recycling scheme, offering payments of $0.10 per eligible item sent to a collections centre. The main benefit of recycling the materials is that they are not sent to a landfill where exposure to sunlight triggers outgassing of harmful chemicals, some of which may seep down into the soil.
Environmental charity donations
Some seniors may find charity support as a way to give back to the community, by donating to organisations like environmental charities. Australia’s environmental charity scene is one of the best in the world, with multiple organisations of strong reputation and accountable usage of funds. A number of studies pin charity donations for health benefits such as lower stress and blood pressure, higher self-esteem, and lower depression. If the senior is working in a day job, a financial donation to a charity environmental organisation may be tax-deductible as long as the entity is certified by the ATO as a deductible gift recipient.
Managing power usage
Seniors living alone or with a carer should be encouraged to turn off all appliances not in use (except for essentials such as the refrigerator) and to turn off the lights if they leave a room. This is to prevent unnecessary power consumption as many appliances still draw miniscule amounts of power when on idle. Shutting down appliances linked to an extension cord can work too; certain extension cords may have individual switches per socket that can be turned off as needed. One effect of this is a lower utility bill.
The ASAG Reverse Mortgage: A means to preserve nature
There’s always a certain desire to leave the world in a hopefully better shape than when a person first saw it. This has never been more true in seniors who’ve truly lived their lives well. Companies like ASAG can ease that effort.
The ASAG team assists customers who are approaching or have entered retirement by providing equity release solutions, including our reverse mortgage, to enhance their financial situation.
The objective of obtaining an ASAG Reverse Mortgage is to enhance your retirement income. This equity release program provides you with a means of accessing the equity in your home without the need for regular payments and without having to sell your property. The mortgage will be settled when you vacate your home permanently, whether that be through downsizing, moving to a care facility, or death. The money you receive can be used for any retirement-related objectives, including Day-to-Day Expenses.
We are eager to provide additional information about our reverse mortgage process. Our team can be reached at 1300 002 724 or via email at info@asagfirst.com.au for any questions or concerns about our equity release options.
Alternatively, you can also assess your available equity by utilising our online tool.