The climate emergency: no longer an abstract idea
21 Dec 23
With the weather heating up as we reach summer, and with the recent COP28 in the headlines, the climate emergency is at the forefront for many people.
What is the climate emergency?
The climate emergency refers to the severe impacts of the climate crisis, as global warming drives increased temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events.
What are the effects of the climate emergency?
Effects of the climate emergency including more frequent and more powerful storms and floods, more severe and long-lasting droughts, and more severe and frequent fires.
These can all result in loss of life, injuries, loss of livelihoods and damage to homes and key infrastructure. Drought and floods, in particular, can result in failed crops which can drive food crises and famine.
Who is being impacted by the climate emergency?
The impacts of the climate emergency will ultimately be felt by everyone, but they are being felt first, and more severely, by poorer nations. Between 1998-2018, 91% of storm related fatalities occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Up to 132 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty over the next decade.
We can currently see the impacts of severe, prolonged droughts in the food crisis affecting the Horn of Africa, where approximately 7 million children under the age of 5 are acutely malnourished.
What is needed to help those impacted by the climate emergency?
When disasters like storms, floods and droughts strike, vulnerable communities need:
- Access to clean water
- Emergency shelter
- Food and basic essentials
- Medical support
- Psychosocial support
- Disaster risk reduction training.
Funds raised by our Climate Emergency Appeal can go towards ensuring these essential needs are met when vulnerable communities are affected by disasters.
You can show your support by making a donation below.