Author's Forum: Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation

From heat waves to wildfires and hurricanes to floods, older adults—those aged 65 or older—are the most vulnerable during natural disasters. By 2034, the US will have more people over 65 than under 18. In Santa Clara County we're expected to reach that milestone even sooner, by 2030. Yet, the country and locally we are not adequately prepared to address the needs of older adults as the frequency and severity of climate-fueled disasters increase.

Danielle Arigoni highlights the often-overlooked needs of older Americans in her new book, Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation (Island Press, October 2023). The book asserts that climate resilience planning should be assessed and executed with a focus on aging. It emphasizes the involvement of various sectors—such as housing, transportation, health care, elder care, and emergency management—in developing strategies that minimize risks for the increasing population of older adults in our communities and improve resilience for everyone. Light refreshments will be served.