The I N
F O C U S
FREE
F O R
P E O P L E
O V E R
More than 200,000 readers throughout Greater Washington
VOL.35, NO.9
Elders take action on climate PHOTO COURTESY OF ELDERS CLIMATE ACTION
By Barbara Ruben Leslie Wharton is a self-proclaimed introvert, too shy in college to go to Vietnam protests. Although she went on to a long career as a law firm litigator and at the Securities and Exchange Commission, she never pictured herself as an activist. But when Wharton, now 72 and living in Bethesda, Md., took a sabbatical in 2007, she started reading about climate change and began to look for a way to combat what she sees as an existential threat. In 2015, she learned about Grandparents Climate Action Day, sponsored by the national group Elders Climate Action. The event brings older adults to Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and encourage them to take action to cut carbon emissions. Even though Wharton’s office had a view of the Capitol dome, she said, “the idea of meeting with legislators was absolutely terrifying. But I held my breath and took two days off from work to take part.” Wharton has never looked back. Now retired, she chairs Elders Climate Action (eldersclimateaction.org). The non-partisan nonprofit — which launched in 2014 and works to “inform, inspire and engage” action on climate change — today has thousands of members in 19 states, including Maryland and Virginia.
5 0 SEPTEMBER 2023
I N S I D E …
LEISURE & TRAVEL
Men in kilts — plus castles, hiking, boating and more in Scotland; Gabriel García Márquez’s riverfront hometown in Colombia, and Colonial Williamsburg’s living history page 39
Concern about the future
Arlington retirees Gloria and David Mog are fighting climate change together with many older adults in the DMV. As founder of the Virginia Chapter of the national group Elders Climate Action, Gloria, 80, organizes other retirees to demonstrate, contact Congress and write letters to the editor about environmental issues.
After a summer of choking wildfire smoke, ocean surface temperatures that spiked above 100 degrees Fahrenheit for the first time, and the hottest day ever recorded globally, Wharton hopes more older adults will push for ways to stop the acceleration of climate change. “Elders have the perspective of looking at their kids and grandkids and realizing
they’re looking forward to a future that’s really different than we had growing up,” she said. “I want to see younger generations to be able to live lives in security, not famine and floods.” Wharton also feels many of her fellow retirees have time to help address the issue. There are many ways to get involved.
Members of Elders Climate Action can join virtual campaigns as well as public events. Each month, the group holds a virtual welcome session to acquaint new members with the group and climate issues. It also holds monthly calls with guest See ACTIVISTS, page 24
Sca n t o
Chantilly | Herndon, VA ed Sch ule
our aT
WI T H US , I T ’ S AL L ABO UT YO U
Working-class families clash in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Sweat at the Keegan Theatre; plus, local lifelong learning options, and Bob Levey on naps page 45
FITNESS & HEALTH 6 k When can you stop screening? k Affordable ways to eat healthy LIVING BOLDLY 30 k Newsletter for D.C. residents
See our ad on p. 11.
Your Wellness is Our Top Priority
ARTS & STYLE
571.441.2875
Spring Hill | Lorton, VA 571.348.0575
LAW & MONEY 32 k Ways to reduce a medical bill k Cryptocurrency scams ADVERTISER DIRECTORY
55
PLUS CROSSWORD, BEACON BITS, CLASSIFIEDS & MORE