Senior Stewards Acting for the Environment

SSAFE seeks to: (1) unite the 4,000+ residents at Kendal affiliates in addressing the greatest challenge facing our planet: climate change. (2) mitigate the effects of global warming by drawing on our combined experience, knowledge, resources, and talents. (3) share our methods with the Kendal Corporation, Kendal affiliate staff and administrators, as well as other retirement communities. Its goals is to set Kendal affiliates and other elder communities on the pathway to a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and net carbon neutrality by 2050. It will do this by: ADVOCATE, by pressing key decision makers to pass laws and enforce rules consistent with these GHG reduction goals. EDUCATE, to inform and inspire actions by elder communities to work toward alleviation of climate change and instill hope for a sustainable future. IMPLEMENT strategies for creating environmentally friendly elder communities, using science-based and professionally guided best practice.

To address the climate crisis with the urgency it requires, SSAFE chapters educate and partner with their committees and administrations, with other chapters, and with other senior living communities to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through: advancing clean energy (energy-efficient and electrified buildings and vehicles); promoting sustainable food systems, reducing and recycling waste, and protecting biodiversity (native plants and wildlife); and advocating for local, state, and federal programs that repair, protect, and conserve the ecosystems without which life on earth cannot flourish.