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Not OK, boomers: Study says baby boomers worst polluters on planet

They have the biggest carbon footprint of any age group, outpacing much younger counterparts.

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By Mark Waghorn via SWNS

Ricky Gervais was right after all: Baby boomers really are the world's "worst" polluters - responsible for a third of all carbon emissions, according to new research.

They have the biggest carbon footprint of any age group, reveals the findings, outpacing much younger counterparts.

Controversial comic Gervais took a swipe at baby boomers for "causing global warming" during a secret show held last week in London.

He made the dig while testing new material at Leicester Square Theatre.

Now new research shows that in 2005 people over 60 years old accounted for a quarter (25 percent) of greenhouse gas emissions. But by 2015 the proportion had grown to 33 percent.

Lead author Professor Edgar Hertwich, of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), said: "Older people used to be thrifty.

"The generation that experienced World War II was careful about how they used resources. The 'new elderly' are different."

People born between 1946 and 1965 are 'costing the Earth' - literally.

They are more likely to travel overseas for holidays - and live in large houses in which children no longer reside.

With more disposable cash, they splash out on plasma TVs and run gas-guzzling cars.

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Other excesses include dining at restaurants where ingredients are flown in from abroad.

The study in Nature Climate Change found no signs of the excesses slowing up.

It was based on surveys of greenhouse gas emissions by age in 2005, 2010 and 2015 across the UK, the US, Australia, Norway, Japan and 27 EU countries.

Prof Hertwich said: "The post-war 'baby boomer generation are the new elderly.

"They have different consumption patterns than the 'quiet generation' that was born in the period 1928-1945.

"Today’s seniors spend more money on houses, energy consumption and food."

In 2005, over 60s accounted for lower emissions than 30 to 44 and 45 to 59-year-olds. Now they have surpassed them.

Aging populations mean 'boomers' are spreading across the Western world - which is bad news for the planet.

Co-author Dr. Heran Zheng, also from NTNU, says there is good reason to assume the 60-plus group is now at the top of the emissions ladder.

Seniors were responsible for an increasing share of climate emissions in all 32 countries analyzed.

The most important message is for politicians to be aware they are making it more difficult to reduce emissions.

Dr. Zheng said: "The consumption habits of seniors are more rigid.

"For example, it would be an advantage if more people moved to smaller homes once the kids moved out.

"Hopefully more senior-friendly housing communities, transport systems and infrastructure can be built."

As large numbers from the 1950s and 1960s move into old age, life expectancy is increasing.

The overall size of the elderly population in the study will double by 2050.

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What is more, their emissions tend to be more local. Younger people consume more imported goods - such as clothing, electronics and furniture.

Dr. Zheng said: "Income shrinks in retirement, but seniors in developed countries have accumulated value, primarily in housing.

"A lot of them have seen a large increase in the value of their property. The elderly are able to maintain their high consumption through their wealth.

"This happens especially in carbon-intensive areas like energy. An increasing proportion of this age group live alone.

"This isn't the case in all countries, but it reflects the overall picture."

The elderly in Australia and the US were responsible for 21 tons of emissions per person in 2015 - nearly double the European average.

In Europe, Luxembourg seniors had the highest with 19 tonnes. Great Britain and Ireland were also in the upper echelons.

Under 30s, 30 to 44-year-olds and 45 to 59-year-olds cut them by 3.7, 2.7 and 2.2 tons, respectively, during the period tonnes during the period.

The study, part-funded by the UK's Natural Environment Research Council, found over 60s had the smallest decline of only 1.5 tons.

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