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Climate change

Niccollette and Shrirvanie film the aftermath of the Guyanan floods, with support from CAFOD partner Guyana Human Rights Association [CAFOD]

Aftermath of the Guyanan floods. Climate change means that disasters like this will occur more frequently. [CAFOD]

People have always had to adapt to variable climate patterns, but climate change will increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather.

This will stretch people’s ability to adapt to its limit, especially the poorest who will be most vulnerable to climate change but have done least to cause it.

Millions risk being pushed deeper into poverty, for example by losing homes and crops in floods and droughts or through conflict over lack of water or other resources. Click on the links on the right for case studies from around the world.

We work with local organisations overseas who help vulnerable communities cope with the impact of increased floods, droughts and extreme weather. Our disaster risk reduction work enables people adapt to a changing climate and to prepare for disasters before they happen.

But a global problem like this needs a global solution.

In order to avoid catastrophic climate change, we are also lobbying developed country governments to tackle the root causes of the problem by cutting carbon emissions and by providing additional money to help poor countries adapt to the impacts of climate change and pursue clean, green development in the future.

Find out more and join our campaign for climate justice

Residents ride a makeshift raft during flooding east of Manila September 27, 2009 [REUTERS/John Javellana, courtesy www.alertnet.org]

Focus: Reducing threat of natural disaster

To mark UN International Day for Natural Disaster Risk Reduction (October 14), we focus on our work helping people in vulnerable areas prepare for the worst

Life is becoming increasingly difficult for Kenya's nomadic herding communities

Kenya: No future without change

For thousands of years, Kenya’s cattle-herding communities have adapted to a nomadic life in a harsh climate. But today, this way of life is stretched to breaking point

Davi Kopenawa on a pilgrimage on Holy Island with Anne Marie Hanlon from CAFOD Hexham & Newcastle [Joelle Hernandez]

Focus on: Climate change and indigenous rights

Among those who have done least to cause it, indigenous people are already feeling the impact. Find out the crucial role they have to play in global discussions. And how you too can take action on climate change before it's too late.

Rapidly melting glaciers will affect people's access to drinking water in Bolivia

Climate change: facing the challenge

Climate change is a reality and it’s affecting our work worldwide. Here, two CAFOD staff reflect on how the communities they work with are coping with extreme weather.

Extreme weather has meant that Laxmi Mondol has had to find new ways of earning a living, such as growing mushrooms, instead of growing rice

Bangladesh: Rebuilding again and again

Laxmi Mondol saw her life change in an instant. In 2007, Cyclone Sidr hit the small village of Chila Bazar, in the Mongla region of Bangladesh, where she lives with her husband and five-year-old daughter. She lost her home and security as the result of a changing climate.

Climate change

Climate change is a huge development challenge and threatens to reverse the progress made towards tackling poverty. Read policy reports and briefings on climate change and on this year's UN climate negotiations.

Published on 03/12/2007, last updated on 06/07/2010

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CAFOD is the official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales

Climate change