[Theory-driven examination of available data on age(ing) and climate change: an explorative contribution]

The socioemotional selectivity theory and the concept of generativity lead to two contradictory predictions, namely (1) a decrease in the significance and importance of climate issues with age, but (2) a similarly high level of engagement at the behavioral level, at least compared to younger age groups.

Marking survey studies from German-speaking and European countries are used to provide a descriptive test of the two predictions.

On the one hand, the selected studies confirm a decrease in the significance and importance of climate issues as people get older. On the other hand, the age segment of people between around 60 and 75 years old in particular shows a similar or even higher level of commitment in many climate-relevant areas of behavior compared to younger people.

We apply the theory of planned behavior to explain the at first glance inconsistent findings driven by our predictions. Future research on aging and climate change needs a more theory-driven approach.