Evidence abounds that volunteers can make a difference when it comes to addressing climate change. Whether you are working to build community gardens, lobbying your local officials for more environmentally-friendly zoning policies, or helping with a local composting program – every action contributes to a more sustainable planet.
You may be surprised to find out that volunteering aids more than just the environment! A sizeable and growing body of evidence demonstrates that environmental volunteering is also good for the volunteers themselves.
A longitudinal study of adults aged 55 to 66 conducted by a sociologist at the University of Chicago looked at the mental health benefits of engaging in paid work, formal volunteer commitments, or both. The study found that participants who engaged in full-time work or high-commitment volunteering were more likely to have better mental health than with lower levels of activity – most likely thanks to the social connections that come along with these commitments.
A broader systematic review published by Taiwanese researchers in 2022 complied data from nine studies of environmental volunteering programs for older adults across the globe to answer the question, what are the benefits of environmental volunteerism?
The studies evaluated the benefits for older adults who voluntarily participated in programs to improve outdoor environments. All the programs included some form of physical activity, social connection, and meaningful purpose.
Participants in the studies benefited in three main ways from their volunteer experiences. First, overall, their physical health improved; study authors attribute this to the increase in physical activity associated with environmental volunteering. Second, their mental wellbeing improved, likely a byproduct of socializing with new groups of people and building relationships with like-minded individuals. Third, most participants reported feeling a sense of purpose in giving back to communities and to future generations – a sentiment associated with greater well-being later in life.
Another longitudinal study, which followed nearly 7,000 older adults over a 20-year period, found clear epidemiological evidence that environmental volunteering is good for your health. In surveys conducted 20 years apart, participants who volunteered were more likely to report increased physical activity, less likely to report their health as “fair” or “poor,” and less likely to report feeling depressed compared with participants who did not volunteer.
Environmental volunteer Susan states is clearly: Being involved in the climate movement is good for her health.
The body of evidence is clear: Volunteering for environmental causes supports health and well-being later in life.
Are you interested in getting involved? Take our Changemaker quiz to find your personal strengths and the browse our site to find out how to get involved in your local community. Want to learn more? Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest information on the intersection of aging and climate change.