The oldest old and climate change: an emerging field of research
Abstract
Climate change poses significant challenges to people and societies at regional, national, and global levels. The associated extreme weather events increasingly affect older and very old people, particularly in rapidly ageing societies such as Germany. However, the diversity of ageing is not systematically considered in the discourse on adaptation strategies and environmentally conscious behavior. In particular, the oldest old who depend on care are often overlooked in both gerontology and environmental research.This article aims to shed light on the research field emerging at this intersection. First, we present the current state of research in gerontology and in environmental and sustainability research, before we outline their relation. Then, we identify gaps in the literature concerning adaptation strategies for the oldest old and their opportunities for environmentally conscious behavior. We conclude with a look at future theoretical and empirical development opportunities and necessities in this field.
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