The below post is from Emily French in response to TOTO Challenge #1
ActionAid is calling on Kevin Rudd to personally attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December (see petition). But, why is an anti-poverty agency like ActionAid focussing on climate change instead of other clearly pressing issues such as education, food and human rights?
It is fundamental in addressing this question to establish that climate change should not be considered an independent issue from human rights. The staggering impact that climate change is predicted to have on the developing world will prevent many individuals from accessing their most basic rights, including food, water and sanitation. To ignore the need to combat climate change is to deny human rights to vulnerable communities that will be worst affected.
ActionAid’s focus on combating climate change stems from their rights-based approach to providing aid; initiatives are implemented in order to fulfil the needs of a particular community. The agency’s governing principle is to enable impoverished and disempowered individuals to realise their human rights.
This objective is severely threatened by the potential impact of climate change on the developing world. Sadly, this is one of the most widely ignored features of this global issue.
Food, water and healthcare access are recognised worldwide as fundamental human rights. In November 1996 at the World Food Summit in Rome, 186 participating governments pledged their collective political will to eradicate hunger in impoverished communities. The World Health Organisation states that every nation in the world has now ratified at least one treaty pertaining to an individual’s right to healthcare. Addressing the impact that climate change will have on accessing these most basic necessities, however, has been appallingly disregarded by the majority of governments worldwide.
Studies estimate that food production in Africa over the next fifty years will drop by 10-20% due to the increasing frequency of heat stress, drought and flooding. Moreover, the nutritional value of crop plants that are yielded will be limited by the increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Food security depends on robust food systems which are likely to be severely destabilised by climate change in the developing world.
At present, 50% of Africa’s current population relies on groundwater. The UN has predicted that the continent’s population will grow by approximately 154% by 2050, an increase that will intensify demand for groundwater reserves. However, studies have predicted that climate change will cause a decrease of mean annual rainfall in Mediterranean Africa, the northern Sahara and southern Africa. Groundwater reserves are very unlikely to recharge adequately to meet the demands of a growing population.
Without access to sufficient food and water, the sanitation and health of Africa’s population is in very real jeopardy. Moreover, the spread of infection is likely to be affected by the world’s changing climate, enhancing the transmission rates and extending the geographic ranges of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. While the former of these has options for treatment and prevention, it is well beyond the price range of most inhabitants of developing countries. The latter has no vaccination and no cure whatsoever.
It is predicted that there will be 500 times as many deaths in Africa than in wealthier nations directly resulting from climate change-related health issues.
It is important to appreciate that climate change does not impact independently. It interacts with already existing weaknesses of developing nations such as vulnerable food systems or water supplies and cripples poorer communities’ abilities to sustain themselves. For countries without the capacity to adapt their agricultural systems or improve their health facilities to deal with the repercussions of the changing climate, the future is bleak.
Governments throughout the world have repeatedly announced their intent to combat the suffering of impoverished communities and pledged their support for universal human rights. However, in order for rights to have meaning, they must be enforced. It is unacceptable for governments to continue making grand statements and failing to deliver on their promises. It is essential for ActionAid to maintain pressure on Kevin Rudd to make a serious and genuine commitment to combating climate change.
At the heart of the issue of climate change is the undeniable fact that the most vulnerable communities in the world are being made to suffer for the actions of the privileged. Although the poorest billion people on the planet contribute to approximately 3% of the world’s carbon footprint, the repercussions of the actions of richer countries will be most strongly felt in developing nations.
Climate change is an issue impacting on the developing world that is unlike any other; its effect is not immediately obvious and has no easily identifiable single perpetrator. In working to combat it, ActionAid seeks to promote both knowledge transfer and compassion. It is not hatred that needs overcoming in the developed world, but indifference and ignorance.
Combating climate change requires understanding, compassion and change. If we close our eyes to the problems our actions are creating, we are condemning the vulnerable to suffer for our choices. Impoverished individuals do not want our pity; they need action. They need positive change.
Tags: actionaid australia, Africa, challenge, climate change, human rights
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As always Emily, you write clearly and passionately and your blog is extremely thought-provoking. Although climate change has been in the media spotlight for a fair while now, it was not until reading your blog that I realised what you call the ‘inextricable’ link between climate change and people. Your comments definately make me see that the work of charities like ActionAid is absolutely necessary, and I’m certainly more inclined to throw my support behind them because of this insight into who and how they help. Thank you for erasing my ignorance. I hope to read more of your blogs soon. Shelley
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Emily this was a very enjoyable and well-researched article. The impact that climate change will have on the developing world is vastly different than what we read about in the media.
Considering the points put forward in your article has helped me reach the conclusion that it is vitally important that world leaders take more decisive action. This is not only for their own country’s benefit but for what the developing and unprivileged communities desperately need. Governments have to consider those beyond their own nation’s borders.
Thank you for helping open not only my eyes but those you reach through your blogging with ActionAid. -
I totally agree with this, Emily, and I’m ashamed to say I don’t think I’ve really ever made the mental leap from thinking about climate change in its abstract form and thinking about human rights for the underprivileged. Particularly in charity work, this link is so vital, and it totally makes sense that ActionAid is getting right in the middle of the UN Climate Change Conference as a matter of personal and moral (rather than abstract, planetary) obligation.
Your comments have generated some questions, however. It is clear that the developing countries do little to contribute to global warming, and that the developed world must do much more to reduce theirs. But what of the countries in between, who are currently developing and using fossil-fuel based industry and energy that we ourselves used in the past to develop our economy and industry. Must we aim to prevent them from doing this, or simply allow their development? Or help them develop equally efficient green energies, or reduce ours enough to compensate?
Obviously, that aside, thank you for such a helpful blog. It is clear that the heart of charity work, aiming to help others and ensure that they don’t suffer for the comfort of the wealthy, extends not just to poverty and housing but to global-scale action on such issues as climate change. Amazing and enlightening stuff. -
Hi Emily.
I’ve been following Project Toto’s search for the next outreach blogger quite avidly. I have to say that your posts have thus far really impressed me. In your initial application for this position and your profile, you have shown how much heart and determination you have for using your skills to fight poverty. Your experiences volunteering in the developing world have clearly had a strong influence on you. Now, in this post, you demonstrate that you are capable of writing serious, factual pieces that truly inspire the reader without adopting a “holier-than-thou” attitude. Your talent is clearly very versatile and very impressive for your age. I hope ActionAid takes this opportunity to snap you up! Wishing you the best of luck! Emily.
p.s. I believe I failed to mention how thoroughly enjoyable a well-researched and carefully constructed discussion is to read! Thank you! -
Beautifully written and thoroughly engaging. This is the most comprehensive article I have read that in establishing the link between climate change and human rights and why combating it is so important.
It is interesting that so much emphasis is placed in the media on the effects of climate change in melting the polar ice caps and yet so little placed on the human element of this crisis. Although I have always appreciated the environmental side of the debate, I don’t think it has ever been expressed so clearly how this will affect people in the developing world.
Your blogs throughout ActionAid’s selection process have really shown your passion for the cause and your genuine talent for writing. I hope to read a lot more from you in the future. -
What a thought provoking article! Being so attuned to the idea that climate change should be the forefront of our concerns, I had been neglecting the importance of fundamental human rights such as food, water which have been problems that have been going on for a long time.
Its sad how human problems are being pushed aside in the media frenzy about the climate change. Although both important, thank you for addressing this little side track. Awesome job! GOOD LUCK
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While its is painful and difficult to focus on you are so right in looking at who will and who is suffering from the effects of climate change first. I appreciated that you are not shrilly preaching at us Emily, givings us facts and analysis that we cannot shy away from. It gives great power to your words. Ultimately you make the links that link us all from Africa and beyond. Thankyou for reminding us that in many cases the future strength of human rights, education and so many other things are inextricable linked to this one issue. We cannot ignore one anymore than we can ignore another. While nations battle out over who must cut what, who must do it first and justify denying developing nations the industrialisation that we benefit from what is important, and what you highlighted is that inaction is going to be much more costly in the future then action is now. It is posts like this that tie a sometime complex global problem with the painful reminder that eventually none of us can get off easily in our responsibilites and that the tragic fate is that awaits Africa now may one day be our own. A well written, thought provoking piece that itself links the ‘links’ that no longer leaves climate change an abstract i can ignore.
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Hi Emily,
I found this article an absolute pleasure to read. You very clearly link the wider implications of climate change in a very real way, which I – and most certainly many others – had been yet to realise. It most certainly has made me think about how it is a duty of those who are able to act towards mitigating against what climate change will bring, and that however difficult it may be to include oneself into that category, not acting would itself be an act of inhumanity.
I wish you great success – which most certainly is not beyond you! – with ActionAid and into the future. I hope that with your efforts many more people become aware of the human rights issues surrounding climate change and subsequently of their role in making a positive change.
All the best. -
A very engaging article with an enlightening angle that made me care much more about climate change. It links the topics of climate change and human aid in a way which I must confess I had not considered.
Beautifully written as ever Emily, and I was particularly impressed by your depth of knowledge and research on the matter, which inform your writing very well.
All in all, you definitely had me convinced by the end, of the need to concentrate on climate change issues. You clearly have the ability to form intelligent and informed opinions on matters that are of crucial importance, and a deep interest in your subject shines through.
I hope to read more from you in the future. -
Hi Emily,
Wow, this is by far the most researched and clearly written article I’ve read on this subject. Your facts are clear and they paint a realistic picture of the problems that the future holds for all human beings if we do not consider and act on climate change. It is definitely right that ActionAid should push Kevin Rudd to attend the UN Climate Change Conference but far more important is to push for him to make real, meaningful propositions while he is there.
Developed nations have the ressources to change their ways substantially in order to support and protect the vulnerable but as you say, they make promises and then fail to deliver.
I am incredibly impressed by the research and the constructive links made in this post. You have re-awoken the cynic in me to the fact that it is still important to push politicians for big change. I hope I have the opportunity to read more results of your research, Emily. You convey an argument and open up a debate in a way that should push anybody to think beyond themselves.
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Well done Emily,
Your thorough research and clear reasoning have shown me the real link between climate change and humans. It shows how utterly important climate change is in the third world and when reading this, makes me in the west, feel quite ashamed of our failure to act. Once again political red tape seems to be the major barrier of action. Upon reading this article however, who wouldn’t begin to press for change? I know I will be.
Well-done and keep it up. -
A very thought-provoking and engaging piece, well done Emily! Most people are focusing on combating climate change and how it is going to impact on our planet and economy. We’re looking too much into the bigger picture and have forgotten to reflect on the details: us. I tend to think that human rights and climate change are two separate matters and never have I thought both issues are linked. Your piece have addressed the link well enough for me to ponder upon. Developed countries have the power and resources to change the lives of many in developing countries, but too much talks and no actions seen yet. I hope in the upcoming Copenhagen climate summit, the developed countries would actually start doing something.
Thank you for showing us what you see and at the same time opening our eyes amidst the mundane everyday life. I wish you and ActionAid great success in raising awareness in the public! Hope to read more from you!
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I agree with you, Emily. The link between climate change human rights needs a much greater emphasis in both global debates and in responses to both contentious issues. However, I think another pressing point in this consideration is the matter of population size and growth. The world’s population is expected to grow by about another 2 billion, from 6.8 billion in 2010 to over 9 billion in 2050. The 2 billion increase from 2008 to 2050 is almost as much as the entire population of the world in 1950. The impact of this on the environment and societies can only exacerbate the problems that you addressed in your really interesting and well-written article!
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Emily-
Thank you for your well written and researched article. Unfortunately, discussions about climate change in Australia are generally focused on how it is going to effect us-our business, our economy- and not how our actions as a developed country have contributed to problems in third world countries.
I thought your article was very well argued, and agree with some of the other comments that you managed to write in a compassionate way, without preaching. I sincerely hope that we can all change our attitudes and begin to understand that climate change has global, far reaching implications for human rights in developed countries like those in Africa.
Thank you for your article, best of luck with ActionAid! Hope to hear more from you about this issue.
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Wow… this really is food for thought. Like many of the others who have commented before myself I also had never made the link between climate change and human rights, thats real thought provoking stuff!
As usual your article was well written and well structured You seem to have an effortless ability to write compassionately to change peoples attitudes.
I hope to see a follow up article soon as I would be interested to see what kind of responce you recieve from the parties invloved. -
So true. What you have written reinforces the tragic fact that the people at the top of the pile are doing so very much less than is required to help the ones at the bottom who will be hit the hardest by the former’s inconsiderate and arrogant conduct. But of course, the rich countries who have exacerbated climate change the most are the countries best equipped to slow down and even reverse the effects of climate change, so well-presented blogs such as yours are crucial. Getting this information out there and writing authoritatively and logically will hopefully convince those that most need convincing, or at the very least it inspires other like-minded individuals to go and do what they can for these people at grassroots level.
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Milady,
It’s good to see you giving a voice to the hundreds of millions who will face the brunt of a changing climate induced by the wealthy nations. The Australian mainstream media occasionally highlights the plight of Pacific islanders, but there is little coverage of the poorest countries in Africa and Asia that face truly catastrophic futures if something is not done. This is, I think, one of the simple facts that climate change boils down to: if we don’t do something soon, millions of people will be dead. It’s easy to forget that amidst the politics and statistics, and your article is a timely reminder to everyone.
Also, given how contentious a topic climate change can be, you should be more specific in your sources. You don’t want to see how the slavering hordes of internet trolls will feast on your ‘studies estimate’ sentences.
Keep fighting the good fights Emily. It makes me more hopeful when I reflect that there are people like you putting so much energy and talent into trying to bring about change.
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Emily, this is stunning work! You’ve linked the issues of climate change and human rights in a way that is intelligent and thoroughly comprehensive. You have the gift of being able to effortlessly communicate with your readers and open their minds to consider issues facing them in the world today. You present facts and case studies concerning the matter while never losing sight of the people at the heart of the crisis. Thank you for helping your readers to understand why combating climate change is so incredibly important. I think we can all agree that, if the situation continues to go unchecked, the suffering the world will witness will be just awful. But as you say, it is not a foregone conclusion – we can still act to make positive change happen!
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Hi Emily
Thanks so much for such a wonderfully enlightening blog. You manage to write intellectually and yet in a way that is still completely accessible to readers. I have to say I had never considered climate change in this light before – the impact that it will have in the developing world is shockingly ignored and I am truly glad gifted writers such as yourself are committing their time and energy to raising awareness. As you observed, it is not that privileged Westerners actively believe that vulnerable individuals should suffer for their actions – the problem is a lack of understanding of what their choices mean for the developing world.
I wish you all the best in your efforts to become the next ActionAid blogger! I truly believe that with your talent and your passion for the cause you have the potential to genuinely assist those in need.
Good luck! -
This article has a perfect blend of thought-provoking information set against a contextual backdrop of world issues and politics. It helps cut through the volume of unreliable media hysteria and the lackadaisical more interested in their petrol tank to provide clear concise information relevant to the individual and the collective. It is easy to forget the victims ahead with climate change and I enjoy how your article keeps them at the forefront throughout. Another issue that is raised cleverly is the fact that politics presents an inextricable barrier between discussion and action and it is the responsibility of the voters to demand this issue be both brought to the table and resolved.
I look forward to the opportunity to follow your blogs in the future and hope that your use of graceful logic has so adeptly informed others as it has myself.
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Emily – your blog astutely highlights the need for politicians to fulfil their promises. It seems that with Obama’s decision to allow the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate carbon emissions with having to pass legislation through the senate, politicians may be stepping up to the plate and doing just that! This instance reflects perfectly how pressure on the right people can get results, and how important it is – as you so clearly said – that we all continue to pressure Kevin Rudd into making a commitment to lowering Australia’s carbon emissions. How fantastic that Obama’s decision coincides with these ActionAid blogs. Exciting news for us all!
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Dear Emily, your article presents sobering news for us living in the comfort and excess of the First World. It has become blatantly clear that where richer nations have enjoyed the benefits of industrialisation over the last century despite errant disregard for the environment, the poorer nations have had to bear the consequences of climate change. In order that change can be effected, efforts to stop this vicious cycle can no longer rest on the strained voices of independent organisations like Greenpeace. Unless governments of rich nations like Australia are willing to lend their collective authority and make a ‘sacrifice’ in exchange for the inequity that poorer nations have had to endure, our children will pay for our indifference.
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This is a really fantastic blog and has definitely made me reconsider my attitude to climate change. Despite the fact that we are constantly bombarded with the issue in the media, I think up until now I failed to appreciate exactly why working to combat climate change was so important. Emily, you have perfectly illustrated your argument by calling upon relevant statistics and case studies but without ever rendering your blog dry or dreary. You held my attention throughout, instantly making the inextricable link between climate change and human rights, demonstrating how politicians have all too often failed to supplement their words with deeds and reflecting starkly on what climate change means for the developing world. Your final paragraphs give us a sense of accountability and responsibility to instigate positive change without ever preaching or ostracising the reader. Brilliant work. I hope you get the recognition you deserve.
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This was a really wonderful read. You have cut through the politics, the misinformation and the confusion surrounding what climate change means for the world and provided the clearest explanation of the situation that I have ever read. You have been given a wonderful opportunity here to open people’s eyes about issues facing impoverished communities and provide the vulnerable with a voice. I cannot think of anyone better suited to the job and your fantastic blog has only strengthened my conviction. Passionate, articulate, worldly, genuine – you have to be everything that ActionAid is looking for, Emily!
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