Time for action on climate change

In 2006, Sub-Saharan Africa was hit by the worst drought in a decade. When the rains failed, crops like these sunflowers in southern Zambia withered and died. . [Annie Bungeroth]

CAFOD's new policy paper calls on developed nations to shoulder the lion's share of responsibility for "the greatest challenge facing humankind"

CAFOD's policy on climage change views the issue firmly through a poverty-reduction lens.

"Whilst climate change will affect everyone, those most seriously and disproportionately affected will be people living in poverty, particularly those in developing countries," the paper says.

"The potential consequences of climate change for the poor mean that CAFOD cannot remain neutral on this issue."

Voices of the poor

A recent survey by CAFOD of some of its partner organisations in Asia shows that poor communities are already being hit by the effects of climate change.

One partner in the Philippines told how crops had been affected by changing weather patterns, forcing women and children to travel to urban areas looking for additional income.

Caritas Bangladesh said: "Local communities, governments and international communities must remember that God always forgives, Man often forgives, Nature never forgives."

Church's response

The paper sets out the Church's response to climate change.

"The principles of Catholic social teaching guide us in our response to tackling the greatest challenge facing humankind," CAFOD says.

"The Church offers us hope - hope that the relationship between humanity and the rest of creation can be restored through our actions."

CAFOD urges supporters to take action on climate change in the context of livesimply, the Catholic church initiative which challenges us to re-examine our lifestyles and live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the world's poorest communities.

Polluter must pay

Running through CAFOD's policy paper is a clear message: the polluter must pay.

"Historically and to this day, developed nations have been using up far more than their fair share of the Earth's common resources for their own benefit, biting into the share of developing countries," it says.

"CAFOD believes that developed countries should acknowledge their ecological debt to developing countries and take full responsibility for substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions."

CAFOD is taking action on several fronts to respond to the challenge of climate change - including auditing its own "ecological footprint".

Working through partner organisations, CAFOD responds to the humanitarian needs of people affected by climatic disasters. CAFOD is also assessing the threats faced by particular vulnerable communities and supporting them to adapt to new weather conditions.

take action

Join us for a sponsored event Take part in one of the CAFOD Challenges, or join Team CAFOD for a run. You can have some fun while supporting our life-saving work across the world

Set up a direct debit A regular donation or gift from you to support CAFOD's charity work can help end poverty. Give regularly. Transform lives

Shine a light in the dark Please sign our petition calling on the world's largest mining company to listen to communities in the Philippines worried about the effect mining will have on their land