The leader of a confederation of 162 Catholic relief, development and social service groups says it is “vital” for humanitarian organisations to relate climate change to the issue of poverty and to address the factors that make people vulnerable to climate change.
“Climate change exacerbates existing vulnerabilities”, Caritas Internationalis Secretary General Lesley-Anne Knight told the Global Humanitarian Forum held in Geneva in June. The two-day forum drew concerned leaders from around the world to formulate a response to the human impact of climate change.
According to some scientists, industrialised nations must cut emissions by 25 to 40 per cent from 1990 levels by 2020 to prevent climate disasters, such as coastal flooding from rising sea levels, severe weather events, and variations in rainfall and temperatures that will affect agriculture and wipe out species of plants and animals.
During the forum Knight told concerned leaders that the effects of climate change would be felt the most by the poorest who lack the resources to protect themselves. She was also expected to call for a deal at climate change talks in Copenhagen this December to lower greenhouse gas emissions and provide the aid necessary for developing countries to adapt to severe weather caused by climate change.
“The unpalatable truth is that there will be a price to be paid for a solution to climate change. And that price will have to be paid by the ordinary people of the developed world, who have benefited from the growth and development that is causing climate change,” she said. “This means, quite simply, that high consumers will have to accept a reduced standard of living.”