We are now all aware of the effects of climate change on our weather in the UK, but here are just a few stories from Christian Aid and Tearfund about how our neighbours are suffering due to the effects of climate change:
Philippines – more intense storms bring prolonged monsoon rains and fierce winds making it difficult to gather the rice harvest. Now that the rainy season starts later there is little time at the end of the season to reap, if the storms delay the harvest the rice grains get soaked and start to germinate leading to a loss of 60 -70% of income. Last year’s storm caused damage estimated at £15 million.
Ethiopia – a few years ago, farmers could rely on two rainy seasons every year but due to climate change the rains don’t last as long and are less predictable. Droughts are killing the livestock which means less income, less food and poor health. Having to walk for 10 hours a day to find water is hard enough, but there is also an increased danger of attack by wild animals.
Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe – In 2019 strong winds and flooding caused by Cyclone Idai killed hundreds of people and left half a million homeless. Now they are experiencing droughts, making the efforts to rebuild their lives almost impossible.
Nicaragua – coffee farms are threatened by climate change because of the increase in pests and diseases, and because the sun now scorches the coffee beans which makes them unsellable.
These communities are paying the price for carbon emissions which have largely been generated by nations like ours: the carbon dioxide produced by our cars and planes, and our production of power and food.
The poorest 3.5 billion people are responsible for only 10% of these emissions.
But they are the most vulnerable to the physical effects of climate change because their homes are less secure, they rely so heavily on agriculture for their income, and they lack the protection which we take for granted. As Christians we believe we have a duty and responsibility to care for others. People around the world are suffering the effects of climate change; we must do whatever we can to help.
But how?
- Take steps to reduce our personal contribution to climate change: find out how big your carbon footprint is and how you can reduce it. It is pointless to support charities helping the victims of climate change if we don’t change the way we live
https://footprint.wwf.org.uk
- Campaign:
Join Tearfund’s Reboot Campaign: standing together in prayer and action to see a breakthrough in the climate crisis. Sign The Climate Coalition’s declaration calling on the UK government to lead the world in delivering a greener, fairer recovery which limits warming to 1.5oC
https://www.tearfund.org/campaigns/reboot-campaign
Join Christian Aid’s Building Back with Justice Campaign: how might the love of God guide us as we seek to recover from the pandemic, to build a world with justice at its heart? How do we embody the values of Christ’s kingdom?
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/building-back-justice-campaign-resource
Be part of Operation Noah: a Christian charity working with the church to inspire action on the climate crisis
https://operationnoah.org/articles/at-the-crossroads-of-climate-change
- Pray for urgent change to our abuse of the earth and an end to global poverty
