Green Networks...Grey Power : Melbourne Indymedia

Australia hasn’t had a great record in the past few years supporting initiatives for climate change prevention, or even protecting its own native environment. Not only has the Australian government consistently refused to commit to the Kyoto Protocol but it also has been weak to protect its rich native flora and fauna in the face of the extremely powerful logging and mining companies that lobby for complete freedom, and usually get it.

So it’s no surprise that there are a lot of angry and passionate people in Australia who deeply care for the environment and want to do something to help it recover from the damage that we have done to it.

One group who have more in common with Green Seniors than most are Grey Power. Formed as an offshoot of Greenpeace Australia Pacific, Grey Power is described as “a dedicated group of like-minded seniors working together to protect Australia and future generations from climate change.”

Their message is succinct and powerful, and is relevant to Seniors throughout the world:

“Older Australians have the respect of decision makers, they understand the value of doing more with less and not wasting, and they are in the strongest position to notice changes in the environment.

“What’s more, older Australians are especially vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change, such as heat stress. But a major reason many join the Grey Power movement is out of concern for others -- to safeguard the futures of their children and grandchildren.”

Grey Power were keen to link up with Green Seniors when we contacted them, and happy to answer our questions.

How concerned are seniors in Australia about the state of the natural environment?

We feel seniors in Australia are equally concerned about the environment as seniors elsewhere - senior volunteers are found in a variety of groups from major environment organisations to bush regeneration and landcare. As we have looked around for stories of seniors' activism to pass on to our members, we have learned of senior Australians who have devoted their time to conservation projects, education programs or campaigning for an environmentally sustainable future. We have dedicated Grey Power members who work hard on the issue of climate change, which is our main focus.

The tenacity and drive of Australians is legendary, is this reflected in the actions that Grey Power have carried out?

In the year that we've been in existence, Grey Power groups organised political candidates' forums before the last state election, held information stalls at markets, published and distributed an information leaflet on global warming as well as holding regular information sessions. The tenacity and drive of Grey Power members could perhaps be greater but for the number of other commitments our members have in other areas of the environment, development or social justice movements. We hope to harness more of the tenacity and drive as we increase in numbers.

There is no doubt that the Green Seniors movement has a huge way to go before it makes a lasting impression, but the network is growing in terms of numbers and influence. Grey Power is an important part of that network. The slumbering giant is starting to wake up.