Climate change: The human impactHow climate change hurts poor communities,

and how we can help

The face of a changing climate

This is the face of global climate change.

And so is this.

The human impact

• Climate change affects our entire planet—natural resources, wildlife, and people.

• Poor people, who are more vulnerable to climate change and its consequences, are affected first and worst.

Developing countries produce fewer emissions per capita.

People in developing countries are more likely to be affected.

Number of people affected

by climate-related disasters

(in millions)

Source: Ian Noble, World Bank

The effects can be devastating.

• Water shortages• Famine• Increased disease• Loss of life

• Forced migration• Increased conflict• Deepening poverty

Women are especially vulnerable.

The crisis is happening now.

• Effects are occurring faster than scientists first predicted.

• Climate-related disasters are becoming more and more frequent.

• Millions of people are affected each year— and the numbers are growing.

But there is hope.

Let us recognize that the effects of climate change affect us all. And that they have become so severe and so sweeping that only urgent, global action will do. We are all in this together. We must work together.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Nov. 17, 2007

““

Why should the US help?

• We have both the resources to help people adapt…

• And the responsibility to tackle the crisis.

What does the US need to do?

• Stop harming;

• Start helping;

• Establish fair solutions.

Stop harming

• Stop harming vulnerable communities by dramatically reducing our emissions.

• Prevent a global temperature rise of 3.6° Fahrenheit (2° Celsius).

And…

Even if the world stopped polluting today, we would still feel the effects of climate change for decades to come. While all of us will be affected, developing countries will bear the brunt of the impacts.

Start helping

• Provide developing countries with the resources they need to cope with the impact of climate change.

• Help communities adopt innovative ways of dealing with the climate crisis—known as adaptation projects—to reduce vulnerability and build resilience.

Establish fair solutions

Create climate policies that benefit—rather than harm—poor people at home and abroad.

What is adaptation?

What do adaptation projects do?

• Build resilience to climate change, beginning at the community level.

• Meet different needs in different contexts.

Communities need to…

• Address water scarcity;• Cope with floods;• Minimize the risks from severe weather

events;• Improve agriculture;• Find new ways of earning a living;• Fight the spread of disease;• Address social changes.

Communities need to…

• Meet new challenges head-on—and act quickly;

• Adjust their way of life over the long term;• Continue to overcome poverty, even as they

battle climate change.

Adaptation around the world

In Bangladesh

Emergency measures, like raised homesteads, help people live with floods.

Cereal “banks” can prevent famine during food shortages.

In the Gambia

Data collection helps communities plan for better responses in times of drought.

In Ethiopia

Alpaca shelters, acres of barley, and radio towers help mountain communities prepare for cold weather.

In Peru

But there are limits to what vulnerable communities can achieve on their own.

They need national and international support.

What do developing countries need?

Urgent action

• The longer we wait, the higher the costs.• Industrialized nations must begin reducing

our emissions—and help developing nations reduce theirs through clean energy technologies.

An investment in adaptation

• Wealthy countries must invest in adaptation projects to help people cope with the climate crisis.

• Poor countries need resources above and beyond existing funds for international assistance.

How much will adaptation cost?

$86 billion each year, according to a UN estimate

44 billionfor climate-proofinginfrastructure

$ 40 billionto adapt existing development programs

$ 2 billionfor disaster response

$

A pilot project raises the foundations of 600 flood-prone mud houses in India.

What can adaptation funding buy?

70 per

house$

2,000 farming households in Nicaragua practice conservation agriculture, tree planting, and water management—minimizing the impact of droughts and floods.

What can adaptation funding buy?

250,000$

Communities in Vietnam plant 54,363 acres of mangroves, providing 62 miles of protection for sea and river dikes to benefit 1.2 million people in the area.

What can adaptation funding buy?

5 million$

A project supports the Pacific Islands’ adaptation to climate change; throughout the region, communities strengthen resource conservation and promote sustainable development.

What can adaptation funding buy?

82.4 million$

Using adaptation resources wisely

• Accountability

• Transparency

• Community engagement

• Capacity building

• Effectiveness

What can the US do to help?

US investment in adaptation so far

Global Environment Facility

Other developed countries

82.4 million$US

0$

US investment in adaptation so far

International Adaptation Fund (Kyoto Protocol)

Other developed countries

100 million + per year$

US

0$

US investment in adaptation so far

US Agency for International Development(USAID) Limited funding—

amount uncertain

How can we make US engagement more effective?

• Lead on international negotiations.

• Pass climate change legislation in Congress.

• Call on businesses to join the effort.

The US should fund adaptation because…

• It would demonstrate global leadership.

• It would help safeguard global security.

• Responding now will save money down the road.

• Promoting economic development in poor countries should be a national priority.

Taking action globally

• A new international climate change agreement should be signed by 2009; it goes into effect in 2012.

• Negotiations are in progress now.

• The US can demonstrate global leadership on adaptation.

Taking action globally

Taking action in the US

• US climate change legislation could help communities all over the world.

• Lawmakers have proposed various options.

• Landmark legislation should address the effects of climate change on poor communities and allocate revenue for international adaptation.

Calling on business to help

Responsible businesses should

• Reduce emissions;

• Help communities prepare for risks;

• Invest in adaptation;

• Provide new green technologies for use on the ground.

A way forward

Oxfam’s recommendations

• Advocate for adaptation funding.

• Promote equitable ways of reducing emissions.

• Build equity and fairness into adaptation funding.

What Oxfam is doing

• Political advocacy in the US

• International advocacy

• Public awareness raising about the human impact of climate change

• Work on the ground helping communities adapt

Right now: opportunities for US action

Future legislation

• Senate: Climate Security Act (Lieberman-Warner bill) in the US Senate – something similar?

• Pending legislation in the US House of Representatives

Right now: opportunities for US action

• 2008: US presidential elections

• 2009: New president and new administration; potential strong climate change legislation in Congress

Get involved!

Ways you can help

• Host a Climate Change House Party.

• “Table” at a community event.

• Call on your member of Congress to pass climate change legislation.

• Write a letter to the editor of your local paper.

• Sign Oxfam’s petition to the presidential candidates.

• Join Oxfam’s online action team.

• Be Creative!

Host a Climate Change House Party.

• Invite friends and family to a fun, informal gathering.

• Generate letters that influence legislators’ votes.

“Table” at a community event.

Call on your member of Congress.

• Write a handwritten letter.• Set up an in-person meeting with your

legislator.

Write a letter to the editor.

• Share your views and spread the word.• Educate your community about the human

impact of climate change.

Sign Oxfam’s petition for the presidential candidates.

Join Oxfam’s online action team.

• Work closely with Oxfam on climate change issues.

• Get updates on our campaign.• Learn new ways to make a difference in your

community.

All we need now is your voice!

To learn more, go to www.oxfamamerica.org/climate.