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See the bigger picture – act on climate change
We're all in this together
We need a global solution
A solution that looks like this
Get involved in the campaign
See the bigger picture – act on climate change
Climate change will affect everyone, but it will affect poor people in developing countries first and most dramatically.
Make Poverty History campaigns for the achievement of the globally agreed plan to halve poverty by 2015 known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Climate change is a serious challenge to our efforts to tackle poverty. That is why, over the coming months, Make Poverty History is going to be working on this issue and calling on you to act on climate change.
Some of the likely impacts of climate change on developing countries include:
- Food supplies and livelihoods at risk: crop yields in sub-Saharan Africa are projected to fall by 20 per cent.
- Greater risk of illness: five million serious illnesses and 150,000 deaths already occur every year as a result of climate change.
- People forced to leave their homes: 200 million environmental refugees by 2050 and eventually one billion people could be displaced – already some Pacific Islanders are leaving their islands due to sea level rise.
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We're all in this together
Yet it's the rich developed world that has produced the vast majority of carbon emissions that have caused climate change. While the US has been the world's biggest producer of carbon emissions, Australia's performance has also been extremely damaging to the environment, with Australia now the world's second biggest carbon emitter per capita.
"The international climate negotiations are at a crucial stage, with less then 18 months to agree a comprehensive treaty to prevent dangerous climate change. If we don’t, the evidence points to massive environmental damage that will lead to a dramatic loss of croplands and water sources that will significantly worsen poverty and suffering around the world.
The challenge we face shouldn't be underestimated – we are at a tipping point that requires urgent and substantial international action."
- Andrew Hewett, co-chair of Make Poverty History.
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We need a global solution
The United Nations has begun the process of negotiating a new international climate change agreement to take effect in 2012. This began in Bali in December 2007 with the "Bali Road Map". It’s a long road ahead for all nations, but especially for those who will be worst affected by climate change.
Rich countries such as Australia need to take the lead in negotiating this new agreement. Australia needs to substantially cut our greenhouse gas emissions and provide resources to help people adapt to our changing climate.
Justice and equity requires that the developed nations of the world, such as Australia, accept responsibility for their actions and play a leading and constructive role in finding a just solution to climate change.
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A solution that looks like this
A fair and equitable United Nations agreement needs to:
- Acknowledge that climate change is largely the result of greenhouse gas emissions from rich developed nations, and subsequently that rich countries need to take the most dramatic action in cutting their greenhouse emissions to avoid dangerous climate change
- Provide more and reliable funding to help developing countries adapt to climate change
- Ensure that rich countries share low-carbon, renewable technologies with developing countries so that we can have a sustainable world
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Get involved in the campaign
Over the coming months Make Poverty History is going to be looking at the bigger picture and calling on you to act on climate change. Join the Make Poverty History campaign now to get involved and receive ideas for action.
We’re going to act, and we want you to join us. There’ll be heaps of stuff you can do.
Make Poverty History has released a report commenting on Professor Garnaut’s Draft Report on climate change for the Government. This Make Poverty History report highlights the linkages between climate change and poverty. It outlines what Australia should do internationally to tackle climate change. Check out our report and the accompanying media release to see the bigger picture of the impact of climate change on poor communities around the planet.
Take action now by writing to Professor Garnaut the Government’s key Advisor on climate change. Make Poverty History has provided a letter to assist you to have your say and influence the final report.
Make Poverty History has available a terrific set of resources to both inform and to take action. There’s a quiz (PDF: 3.6 MB) you can download to test your knowledge. Learn more or order your resources.
You may also like to attend one of Make Poverty History’s major public events being held in capital cities nationally during August and September.
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