Climate Elders: Climate change through the eyes of older people

With his farmland submerged, Mohammad has turned to fishing to feed his family.

The land I grew crops on now lies underwater. I fish just to keep my family fed – we survive from day to day, meal by meal.

We labour wherever we can, just to get through another day.

There was plenty of grazing land and water. But with this drought, we had to travel more than 200 kilometres for grass and water.

Having faced droughts before, Adi and her family now survive on small-scale farming with the few resources they have left.

By God’s grace, we survived, and now we’ve started farming corn to get by.

Businesses aren’t moving, jobs have stalled – both men and women are struggling.

In Makoko, Hunga’s community faces challenges as climate change disrupts local industries. She calls for intervention to address the shifts impacting livelihoods.

We all need help. Things aren’t moving as they used to, and we need support to get back on our feet.

Elijah, an elder from a rural community, observed the natural rhythms of rainfall shifting dramatically, with rain now arriving late and infrequent.

We would harvest maize twice in a season. But now, our rivers are dry, the wells empty, and even our cattle are struggling.

People rely on outside support and adaptation techniques like adding manure to soil. Yet he feels that community action alone isn’t enough.

World leaders must understand that we have ways of knowing and protecting our land. They need to hear from us, to work with us on solutions that respect our traditions as well as modern methods.

Years ago, we had plenty of water that wasn’t salty. But now, heat waves destroy 70% of crops.

Limited water access and extreme heat are impacting Jordan’s agriculture, and Nael stresses the need for action on water rights.

The solution is political. If nothing changes, agriculture won’t survive in Jordan.

Growing cycles have changed. We’re forced to adapt.

As a farmer, Antonio has witnessed crops blooming out of season, disrupting traditional practices.

We need leaders to look beyond business interests and work towards sustainable change. The balance between production and protection is hard, but it’s essential.

When I was young, life was pleasant and water was plentiful. Now, it’s all changed.

El Hassan lost his livestock and part of his home to fires. Increasing temperatures have severely impacted the oasis’s vegetation, making it more susceptible to fires.

He and his neighbours face water scarcity, with little help from local officials.

We need action to prevent further [land] degradation and secure our water for the future.

Global warming has changed our way of life.

In South Florida, Robert trains families to prepare for extreme heat.

Our community is learning how to adapt – taking breaks, staying hydrated, and dressing appropriately. We’re becoming more aware of what it takes to live safely in a warmer world.