The human face of climate change

Testimonials from around the world.

Climate change has been at the forefront of international debate with a focus on the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. The social and humanitarian implications of climate change, however, are only beginning to be brought to public and political attention as a systemic issue of deep concern. The adverse impact of climate change primarily affects the world's poorest and most vulnerable; the very people who contribute the least to climate change suffer the most -- a striking injustice.

Climate change is likely to trigger, or at least constitute a key factor in an increasing number of humanitarian crises worldwide. The immediate and most visible consequences of climate change are more frequent and intense weather events such as storms and flooding. In addition, and probably more importantly in terms of scale, slower-onset disasters, such as climate-change-driven water stress or rising sea levels caused by melting polar ice and shrinking glaciers or higher global temperatures, are already being felt in many parts of the world, and in particular by millions of people in poor and marginalized communities.

Climate change has a negative impact on sustainable development and on progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. Water stress in the form of severe drought, dwindling groundwater sources, and changing rain patterns is dramatically aggravating food scarcity in a number of already vulnerable zones. Rising sea levels could submerge island nations and flood entire coastal areas, putting millions of people at risk.

The humanitarian impact of climate change is likely to be among the biggest humanitarian challenges in years and decades to come. Action so far has been slow and inadequate compared with needs.

More information:
http://www.ifrc.org
http://www2.ghf-ge.org/

Year: 2008
Duration: 30 minutes 18 seconds

Category:

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[franklindavid]

There are so many signs that there is Global warming, especially the climate changes around the World.

[Jaemlyn]

Bottom line folks. People around the world are hurting.  We've seen it in our own back yards.

[haramacad]

global warming is a fake

[sylviarogier]

I am currently using this You Tube video in a course I'm teaching called "Eco Citoyen" in France. Thanks to whoever posted it. It has been a good classroom tool, and something the students can re-watch and study at home.

[denisbetsi]

Oh no! Climate change on planet Earth? That has never happened in millions of years!

Oh wait.. there's a typical cycle that the planet undergoes.

We must have somehow triggered this cycle though because if we have nothing to do with it, how on earth are we going to justify carbon Tax and environmental Police with more fines, taxes and tighter control over everyone?

[maydaymosley]

the issue is not global warming and climate change because that is fact. Things are different on this planet. And all planets in our solar system. The thing is the reason why its changing. that is were the politicians lie.

[farscape1]

People who believe in global warming and climate change are usually those who believe politicians who promise shits before the election.

After all, it was al-gore who brought this up like its a real fact, while the science community is really divided about this issue.

[youknowmyname004]

You should start looking into the things you believe instead of taking things you hear as fact.

Would you believe the newspapers if they quote a handful of scientists who say the sky is orange, despite being able to simply look up and see the real colour?

[VWman100]

afti123,you are so right! i believe every word you just said!

[GeorgeDorn00023]

They had to change the name from global warming to climate change because they knew we would cotton on soon enough to the fact that the earth is actually cooling: temperature is directly connected with the surface activity of the sun. The climate change is easier for them because of the weather manipulation capabilites of the arrays like H.A.A.R.P which can create vast destructive weather systems like hurricanes, tsunamis, floods and droughts etc. To combat these disasters switch off H.A.A.R.P.