Successful Aging Is Environmentally Friendly Aging: A Lifespan Perspective of Successful Aging in the Context of Climate Change

Aging in the 21st century is marked by the distinct challenge of climate change that affects not only today's older adults but also future generations who, if fortunate, will themselves grow old. In this article, we propose that enhancing successful aging among the current cohort of older adults and preparing younger generations to age successfully is inherently aligned with the pursuit of a more sustainable future. This alignment can be achieved through the adoption of individual pro-environmental health-promoting behaviors, active engagement in climate-related action, and the fostering of psychological adaptation and resilience across the life course. We argue that in the context of the climate crisis, successful aging presents not only a personal or public health goal, but also a potential pathway toward sustainability, intergenerational solidarity, and collective resilience. This article provides an overview of negative implications of climate change for the respective dimensions of successful aging and discusses possible developmental, social and environmental interventions for each dimension throughout the lifespan.