Climate change
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
![]() | The job is not done. Act now for climate justice Please email Prime Minister Gordon Brown today to call for tougher EU emissions cuts. World leaders must act boldly. They’ll only act if they feel the pressure |
![]() 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 |
![]() 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 |
![]() 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. |
![]() | Hints and tips for meeting your candidates If aid, climate justice and making business work for the poor are voting issues for you, then let your prospective candidates know. Find out their contact details here and use our top tips for meeting and influencing your candidates. |
![]() | Suggested questions for candidates These are questions that you can ask your candidates when they knock on your door, when you meet them, at a hustings or by letter or email. |

![Niccollette and Shrirvanie film the aftermath of the Guyanan floods, with support from CAFOD partner Guyana Human Rights Association [CAFOD]](/var/storage/images/about-us/where-we-work/guyana/images/after-guyana-floods/679742-1-eng-GB/after-guyana-floods_1column50_12space_landscape.jpg)
![Gordon Brown [The Guardian/Martin Argles]](/var/storage/images/images/politicians_statespeople_and_celebrities/gordon_brown/1402-4-eng-GB/gordon_brown_0column75_06space_landscape.jpg)
![Residents ride a makeshift raft during flooding east of Manila September 27, 2009 [REUTERS/John Javellana, courtesy www.alertnet.org]](/var/storage/images/about-us/what-we-do/emergencies/appeals/south-east-asia/typhoon-ketsana/flooding-from-typhoon/1123214-1-eng-GB/flooding-from-typhoon_1column00_08space_landscape.jpg)

![Davi Kopenawa on a pilgrimage on Holy Island with Anne Marie Hanlon from CAFOD Hexham & Newcastle [Joelle Hernandez]](/var/storage/images/get-involved/take-action/images/davi-kopenawa-on-holy-island/1082850-1-eng-GB/davi-kopenawa-on-holy-island_1column00_08space_landscape.jpg)



