Climate change will affect everyone on earth. The effects predicted by climate change scientists include:
- sea level rises, submerging many coastal regions and small islands
- more extreme weather events like floods, droughts and storms
- changes in rainfall patterns, altering the timing of seasons
These phenomena will affect everyone, but poor people are the least able to adapt to these changes. They are the most vulnerable to natural disasters; the most reliant on harvests coming at the right time; and the least able to move from affected regions. Many poor people have lost their lives or livelihoods as a result of the changing climate. If we do not take urgent action now many more will suffer.
Tearfund’s partner organisations in the developing world are telling us about changes to their climate - changing rainfall patterns, floods, droughts and rising sea levels. Tearfund is working to ensure that communities who will be most affected by climate change are able to adapt to the changes to their environment where this is possible, and are better prepared for natural disasters.
Our partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America told us about their experiences.
Africa
Drought in Burkina Faso happens ever more frequently. In 2005 millions faced food shortages as a result.
“One of the health impacts as a result of changing weather patterns is that malaria vector mosquitoes are spreading into highland areas that were historically free from malaria. There is also an increase in water-borne diseases.” Tadesse Dadi, Ethiopia
Tearfund partners in Africa report that they are experiencing increasingly long and frequent periods of drought, as well as there being more flash floods. Rainfall is decreasing, becoming more unpredictable, and the seasons are less distinct. Drinking water is becoming less readily available, and agricultural cycles are disrupted, causing declining crop yields. Partners report that people are leaving for the cities, in search of work and better living conditions. Certain health problems are increasing, such as malaria and malnutrition, traditional medicines are being lost, and biodiversity is declining. The Sahara Desert is pushing south, further into Mali and Niger.
Read more about climate change in Africa
Asia
Bangladesh. Nur Mohammed has already lost two homes in the recurring storms. But many people have little choice about where they live.
Salvation Army, Bangladesh
“The rain does not come at the right time. People start cultivating and there is no rain. Then it comes after a month, so the seeds die and again we have to plant.”
Latika Sagar, India
In Asia partners report that floods and droughts are more and more unpredictable, which affects the monsoon in certain areas. The timing of the rains is changing and thus the seasons are altered. The effect of both floods and drought periods is that crops fail and livelihoods are threatened. Water-borne diseases are reported to be increasing, as well as skin, eye and chest problems. Biodiversity is decreasing and sea-levels rise is already forcing some communities to relocate.
Read more about climate change in Asia
Latin America
Deforestation is a key issue resulting in local-level climate change in Peru.
Amextra, Mexico
In Latin America floods, droughts and storms are all becoming more prevalent; temperatures are rising and dry spells are getting longer. There is less and less water available and as the seasons become more unpredictable: this is having a huge impact on agricultural communities, with productivity declining. In some situations people are abandoning agricultural livelihoods and heading to urban areas in search of alternative sources of income.
Read more about climate change in Latin America