Gender difference of older persons in the context of Arctic change

About 14 percent of the population of the Arctic region is 65 years of age or older. This age cohort, in which women constitute the majority, is increasing rapidly. As a consequence of climate change and other anthropogenic changes, the region faces a huge transformation, one posing challenges to its society, economy, culture, environment and infrastructure. Older people are particularly affected by these challenges. Differences in gender roles among this age group suggest that the changes in the Arctic will impact men and women differently. For example, a number of studies show that elderly women are disproportionately vulnerable to climate change. To date, the gender dimension of climate change as it affects older persons has not been adequately addressed, at least in the Arctic context. This paper reviews the existing literature to investigate how gender positioning will manifest itself among elderly men and women (including indigenous elders) as the Arctic addresses climate change. The paper also shows how the anticipated differences stem from inequality between the genders. The research takes the form of a comprehensive review of scientific articles and literature from the Arctic and PubMed databases, as well as from other relevant sources.