The issues

Poverty: 

Climate change is an additional stress on the estimated 1.5 billion people living in poverty. It will force more into poverty and threaten their survival. Poorer communities and countries do not have the resources to cope with the changes. They are most vulnerable because they depend on the natural environment and live on marginal land. Read more. 

Food Production:

One billion people – nearly 1 in 7 - live in constant hunger. The UN warns that by 2050, 30 million more people will go hungry because of climate change. Already fish stocks are declining, making it difficult for fishing communities to feed their families. Rains are becoming unreliable affecting crops. Read more.

Forced migration: 

Millions of people living in low lying areas such as Bangladesh and the Pacific face forced migration. Land is disappearing or losing its ability to support human life.  They will need to find new homes and livelihoods amongst other communities.  Read more.

Conflict:

Forced migration, scarcity of water, land loss, resettlement of climate refugees, declining food production and other climate change effects are likely to increase tensions between communities and increase the potential for political and social unrest and armed conflict. Civilians are extremely vulnerable in conflict situations and will need additional support for shelter, food, water and health care.

Natural Disasters:

Climate disasters are on the rise. Around 70 percent of disasters are now climate related – up from 50 percent two decades ago. The poorest people are the most vulnerable. They live in disaster prone areas and have no resources to cope when disaster strikes. Read more.

The Pacific:

Pacific leaders are calling for the world to act. They say it is too late for some Pacific nations but want urgent action for future climate refugees and the rest of the world. Atolls have already disappeared, fish stocks are declining and water supplies are becoming salinated. Read more. 

Justice:

The injustice of climate change is that the first to suffer have done the least to contribute to the problem. As Christian Aid argues, “industrialised nations have not only gobbled up their share of the atmosphere, but also quite a large proportion of that needed by those yet to undergo industrialisation.” Read more.

Carbon offsetting: 

Emission trading schemes offer rich countries the opportunity to continue producing emissions by ‘purchasing’ carbon credits (such as investment in forests or renewable energy). There are concerns this will increase the gap between rich and poor and further block developing countries from meeting development goals. Read more.