climate change

The needs of people living in poverty and suffering from the effects of climate change were mostly put aside at the “One Planet” climate change summit in Paris.

Tuesday’s climate summit in Paris must boost the financial support going to help poor communities adapt to climate change. The Paris Agreement promised rich governments would mobilize $100 billion per year by 2020, with a "balance" between funding for emission cuts and climate adaptation needs. However, the adaptation pledges have fallen short.

With the United Nations’ climate conference drawing to a close, it’s clear there’s been very little progress on how to help people affected by climate change, despite record-breaking hurricanes and catastrophic floods dominating headlines this year.

Communities hit by climate-related disasters may have to wait even longer for help since negotiations at COP23 are failing to make meaningful progress on “loss and damage” finance. 

"We’re concerned that too much of the focus is on the ‘insurance’ aspect; insurance doesn't actually reduce risk, and it could be unaffordable for the communities it's meant to cover," said Tracy Carty.

People in low and lower-middle income countries were five times more likely to be forced from their homes by “sudden-onset” weather disasters, like floods and storms, than people in richer countries.

Climate change is already forcing people from their land and homes, and putting many more at risk of displacement in the future. This paper describes the effects on communities and how responding to these growing realities demands far stronger action towards ending global climate pollution.