“I feel a sense of responsibility to the younger generation … but also hope”
GRETA Thunberg may be the face of climate change activism – but the young are not the only ones trying to tackle the crisis.
A growing number of pensioners are also taking action.
Climate Post went to see artist Romey Chaffer, who is leading a group of County Durham grandparent-activists.
She says she’s motivated by a sense of responsibility to the younger people that her generation failed to protect from climate change – but also by a strong optimism.
Here, she generously shares her feelings and views…
So what is Grandparent Climate Action Durham?
GACD are a group of largely older and retired people who are coming together to take action on climate.
At the heart of the group, since its creation about three years ago, is a small group of artists, including Romey Chaffer – who use their talents in their climate activism.
Sometimes this means creating banners and images to be used at public protests, or at meetings the group organises … which have so far included speakers such as Durham City MP Mary Foy and Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon.
Sometimes it involves creating more subtle, ‘artistic’ statements about the climate – such as a piece of work in Durham’s Millennium Square (outside the Gala Theatre).
There, fellow GCAD founder Barrie Ormsby worked with local sixth-form students, using water-resistant paints, to create climate images on the pavement which only show up when it rains.
Every Friday you’ll find members of the group in the centre of Durham, around the market square, talking to people about climate change, encouraging them to take whatever individual actions they can to reduce their personal impact on the planet.
But street activism isn’t the only thing GCAD are involved in – because not all of its members are comfortable with that type of high-visibility action.
So some quietly write letters to their MPs, or support petitions – or concentrate on making their own personal contributions through their own lifestyle choices, and supporting their fellow group members.
“We’re a very broad church,” says Romey – whose worries about climate change were crystalised by being caught up in the Tewkesbury floods of 2007 which claimed three lives.
If you are a grandparent (or an aunt, uncle – or just someone looking for an active, friendly group of people to join forces with on climate change) living in County Durham, you can contact the group by emailing grandparentclimateactiondurham@gmail.com
