Familiar with the saying “you are what you eat?” Well, how about “you are what you breathe?” That may become your new mantra as we realize that climate change, one of the world’s most pressing concerns, has significant impact on health – especially for older adults.

It’s a tricky calculus for sure. A recent New York Times article explores the ways in which older people are both contributors to and victims of environmental problems. The piece cites a recently published study that found a correlation between the rise in residential energy consumption and older age. But older bodies are also more vulnerable to the detrimental impact of climate change. And there’s a lot of research that points to the effect of pollutants on the aging process. You don’t even have to step outside to encounter the harmful chemicals from household furniture and home surroundings that can cause evidence of aging at the cellular level. And there’s also evidence that air pollution is shortening lifespans around the world. Finally, there’s significant evidence that supports the correlation between air pollution and dementia cases. So put aside that skepticism, put on a face mask and read more here and here.