N.S. survey shows strong support for sustainable, safe and sound action
The Chronicle Herald (Metro)
27 Feb 2026 – Ron Swan
FILECARP NS’S environmental committee offers a made-in-nova Scotia response to CARP’S national priority of encouraging healthy lifestyles among seniors, in part through promotion of walking and hiking in outdoor settings.
Older Nova Scotians overwhelmingly support strong, responsible environmental policy and practices, according to research conducted by the Canadian Association of Retired Persons Nova Scotia chapter.
The research, conducted over the summer of 2025, also found that the vast majority of the 900 respondents want CARP NS to advocate for sound, safe environmental policy and action. The survey was distributed to 8,765 members across the province, and the response rate was 10.3 per cent.
Indeed, 91 per cent of respondents agree or strongly agree that CARP NS should advocate for “the protection of the ecological integrity of the natural environment and for the sustainable use of our natural assets and resources.”
In addition, 94 per cent of respondent’s support CARP NS’S advocacy of opportunities for healthy and wholesome outdoor experiences like walking, hiking, cycling or just the quiet contemplation of parks and protected natural areas.
The survey findings and respondents’ comments suggest a strong affinity for responsible, well-regulated, transparent and accountable resource development and other land uses; that economic well-being depends on clean water and healthy ecosystems; that seniors have a responsibility to leave Nova Scotia healthier, safer and more resilient for future generations; and that natural assets are too important to gamble with – where development occurs, it must be environmentally responsible and accountable.
Among other key survey findings:
- 95 per cent of respondents agree or strongly agree that climate change is the most significant environmental issue facing humanity – globally, nationally, provincially and locally – with 85 per cent agreeing that climate control policies are needed even in circumstances involving personal inconvenience, lifestyle changes and/or costs;
- 90 per cent want CARP NS to advocate for conservation of biodiversity through the establishment of protected areas and adoption of sustainable practices for land and resource development;
- 88 per cent agree or strongly agree that the province should accelerate efforts to designate land for protection to fulfil its commitment to protect 20 per cent of the province by 2030;
- 90 per cent want the province to recommit to the enactment of provincewide coastal protection legislation;
- 90 per cent want the province to adopt a comprehensive approach to Crown landuse planning and management that moves beyond the traditional focus on forestry and balances a range of uses, including biodiversity protection, outdoor recreation, nature tourism and community use and benefit;
- 84 per cent want CARP NS to advocate for approaches to resource exploration, development and extraction that are subject to best practices regarding safety, environmental oversight, public consultation and upholding Indigenous rights;
- 89 per cent want the province to adopt a cost-effective, accountable, user-friendly approach to environmental assessment of proposed developments that consider potential direct and cumulative effects on all aspects of the environment.
The survey findings validate CARP NS’S advocacy through the work of an environmental committee that offers a made-innova Scotia response to CARP’S national priority of encouraging healthy lifestyles among seniors, in part through promotion of walking and hiking in outdoor settings. This priority interest has expanded into an understanding of the need to protect areas where outdoor activities could be accessed and enjoyed and, ultimately, for their own intrinsic natural value.
The findings therefore support CARP NS’S advocacy for the protection of places that enhance the lived experience of seniors while encouraging a balanced approach to economic development with environmental protection.
Respondents to the survey were spread across the province, and analysis of results indicates that support for environmental advocacy is not concentrated by area (for example, responses from residents of HRM were compared with those from all other parts of the province and found to be similar); that older CARP members are the most committed to environmental advocacy; and that advocacy is supported equally by men and women.
Forty-three per cent of respondents were between 75 and 84 years of age; 40.2 per cent were 65 to 74; eight per cent were 55 to 64; and about 0.5 per cent were 35 to 54. (Roughly 10 per cent of respondents didn’t report their age.)
CARP is a national organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for older adults by fostering social engagement, influence public policy in areas of concern to older adults and fight against ageism (negative feelings, thinking or actions toward others based on age).
CARP NS has demonstrated leadership within CARP nationally as the only one of 22 chapters that has established an environmental advocacy committee. This decision reflects an understanding that the quality of the environment is important to all Nova Scotians, including seniors.
Ron Swan is chair of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons Nova Scotia chapter.
