The below post is from Sharna Bremner in response to TOTO Challenge #1
I need you to do me a favour. Why, you ask? You don’t know me, why on earth should you do anything for me? Well, maybe you shouldn’t. But just indulge me.
Close your eyes and imagine, if you will, an attack like the one that occurred in the United States on September 11, 2001 happening each and every week. Horrific right? According to the World Health Organization (www.who.int) approximately 150,000 people died in the year 2000 from causes that were directly related to climate change.
That’s almost 3000 people, or the equivalent to the death toll of 9/11 every single week. These deaths however, are the ones we rarely hear about because they weren’t particularly spectacular in nature or they didn’t occur in the “Land of The Free”. These deaths are deemed by the media, and it seems the world, to be less important than what Britney or Paris were up to last night. So why is it then that an anti-poverty agency like ActionAid is focusing on climate change? Why do they care?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you would have heard the facts. The burning of fossil fuels is causing the earth to heat up, we’re slowly but surely causing the destruction of the planet, sea levels are rising; we need to recycle more and emit less carbon etc, etc, etc. Now, I could dazzle you all with big, important sounding scientific words and graphs and charts that make me seem more intelligent than I am. But I didn’t really understand myself exactly why climate change would matter to an anti-poverty agency such as ActionAid until I was given this challenge and I’m going to assume most of you reading this are in the same boat. So here it is. A few basic facts in simple, easy to understand terminology: a sort-of Dummies Guide to Climate Change and Poverty.
Climate Change = Hunger and Thirst
- Changing seasons, drought and flooding, all caused by climate change, will result in low crop yields according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (www.ipcc.ch). In fact the IPCC predicts that yields could decline by 50% in some African countries by 2020. In areas that are already suffering from food shortages, further scarcities would be nothing short of catastrophic.
- The IPCC also predicts that by 2020 supplies of water will no longer meet the demand, affecting over 300 million people in Africa and South America alone. Water shortages would not only mean increased dehydration and illness but would impede the growth of crops, perpetuating a vicious cycle of hunger. In Australia we worry about the drought because our lawn is no longer green. Imagine not being able to drink. At all.
Climate Change = Disease
- The World Health Organization (www.who.int) forecasts that the health of 235 million people is affected by climate change due to malaria, diarrhoea and malnutrition. These issues also account for a large portion of the 150,000 deaths I mentioned earlier. These deaths aren’t occurring in Australia, or the U.S. or the U.K. They’re taking place in Africa or Asia or South America. In countries where health care is unaffordable or nonexistent. It is estimated that over 85 percent of the dead are children. That’s around 350 kids per day by my calculations. Think of one of those kids next time you hop in your car when you could walk somewhere.
- As the climate changes, diseases migrate. They may have previously been bound by geographical boundaries but as temperatures rise or fall or rain levels increase or decrease, diseases pack up and move on. Oxfam UK (www.oxfam.org.uk) notes that a temperature increase of 1ºC causes cases of diarrhoeal disease to increase by 8 percent in Lima, Peru. This is a direct link between disease and climate change. Something to think about next time you turn up that air-conditioning or heating huh?
Climate Change = Disasters
- A World Bank Independent Evaluation (www.worldbank.org) in 2007 found that natural disasters are increasing as a result of climate change and estimated that 90% of those killed and 98% of those affected live in Africa and Asia, in countries that lack the resources to alleviate the effects. The Evaluation also found that between 1996 and 2005, disasters caused $667 billion in losses worldwide. Those losses were 20 times greater in developing countries then those in developed countries.
The poor, it seems, are suffering sooner, harder and longer than those of us in the lucky countries of the world. And it is for precisely these reasons that an anti-poverty agency such as ActionAid is focussed on climate change. For the poor, climate change is happening now, not in the future as we would like to think.
I was lucky enough to visit the Philippines earlier this month, a country that was hit by three major typhoons in the weeks leading up to my visit, resulting in the deaths of hundreds and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.
I met a group of Canadian’s who had been helping with the rescue and recovery efforts in the affected areas and they kindly offered to talk to me about what they had seen and done. I think what I was told by one of the guy’s sums it up pretty nicely: “Do I think climate change plays a part in these disasters? Possibly. I’m not a scientist so I can’t really say for sure but there definitely seems to be a link. And it seems that it’s affecting those who can least afford it, like here in the Philippines. As for climate change sceptics, would you really want to be wrong? Yeah, the science might not be precise, it might not be exact. But I certainly wouldn’t want to dismiss it all together and see what I’ve seen happening here happening all over the world. Isn’t it worth trying to fix the problem just in case?”
Tags: actionaid australia, challenge, climate change, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Oxfam, World Bank, World Health Organisation
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The way Sharna has gone about addressing the issue of the link between climate change and poverty is outstanding. I often just skim read articles or blogs that are filled with highly scientific language that only someone qualified in a profession that uses such language would understand. She has been direct and to the point, making sure the facts are not hidden but right there for the reader to take in immediately. More importantly, just from reading Sharna’s blog I have learnt several things that I did not previously know. It is this effective use of easy-to-read language that will promote change and spread the word quickly (to everyone and not just a certain sector of society) about these such terribly important issues. It has certainly made me think twice about how lucky I am and that climate change may begin to affect myself and the people around me here in Australia sooner than we think.
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Hi Sharna!
What an insightful entry! As I am not completely familiar with the impact and extent of climate change in the world today, I found your entry to be extremely informative due to the fact you’ve included facts & quotes to back up your knowledge & personal experience. This makes for an impressive blog entry as it appeals to a wide range of audiences. It is also very clear & succinct. Well done!
In this entry, it is clear to see your dedication to the topics and also your passion towards improving the way of life for those in poor, underdeveloped countries. It is an entry such as this that shows people like us (in the more fortunate countries such as AUS) exactly how important climate change is. You have pinpointed the problem – climate change IS happening now. Sure, maybe not in countries such as ours where yes, we can afford to help oursleves, but to people in countries who need the help the most. We must act now to help others who need it the most, and also to have any chance of helping ourselves & the world in the future.
Thank you Sharna! If only everyone could read an entry such as this.. Goodluck xx
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Hi Sharna,
Thankyou so much for opening my eyes to this issue ….there is so much more to this than I relized.As I am one of your more mature readers I was still of the opinion it does not affect me, well after reading your blog all I can say is WOW…this does affect me because after I am gone there is little I can do but if I/we can act NOW we can leave it in a better state for future generations .So thanks Sharna I now GET IT it is important and as we helped to make this mess so we CAN all ban together and make it RIGHT….Keep up the great well informed blogs you have taken off my blinkers cheersxxxxx
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Project TOTO · Dummies Guide to Climate Change and Poverty http://bit.ly/75Ip48
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Hi Sharna,
I think perhaps the most resounding issue you have raised (at least for me) is how closely interwoven some of the world’s major issues. Climate change and poverty have been thrown around separately for some time now, however this is first time I’ve seen anyone link the two together and show how great a challenge we are actually facing. For too long the “developed” West has adopted the same ‘out of sight, out of mind’ policy to global issues such as poverty, climate change and even AIDS. Maybe it’s because, as you point out, the general Western population is more interested in social celebrities and their doings, but maybe it’s also because until now, few people have linked the previously-thought-separate issues, and pointed out that there is in fact one big problem that all of us need to start thinking about.
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Project TOTO · Dummies Guide to Climate Change and Poverty: The IPCC also predicts that by 2020 supplies of water … http://bit.ly/75Ip48
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Wow, the parallels are insane. I think that if the media dedicated more discussion to the links between climate change and the poverty and disease it perpetuates, as you have here, more people would be taking action. Thanks Sharna, good stuff.
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Super interesting, and easy to understand. I had no idea they could relate that many people’s deaths to climate change. It was an interesting and impactful tie-in to 9/11…sad but true, more people care about sensationalized news than the real news that people don’t want to talk about! If more people could understand things and have it put in real perspective like this, maybe they would start being more proactive NOW instead of just talking about it. Interesting blog i like it =)
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I’m going to put it out there… I don’t believe climate change is the root of all evil in this present day. And (O my how I shall get flamed) I think people are making too big of a fuss in developing countries about it. I am all for developed countries and their ETS’s but at the end of the day I am of the opinion that a greener planet is all well and good but if you can’t help the people how can they in turn help the planet?
What this blogger has highlighted for me is that it is a vicious cycle and we must help both at once. Hunger and thirst are causing climate change as well as people get hungrier and poorer green goes out the window in favour of a meal or some extra cash.
I’m not as eloquent as Sharna and I guess that is why she is blogging and I am not.
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Hey Sharna
I read your article in total disbelief. I guess we who live in more fortunate countries like to think that we are well versed on Climate Change, but are we really? I listen to our local politicians and then I convince myself that I understand. However, after reading your blog, I had trouble getting to sleep realising that I really am quite ignorant to the world around me. Thankyou for giving me more of an insight, for helping me be more learned in this subject, but most of all, thanks for caring!!! The world I am sure will become a better place with the help of you and your fellow bloggers!!!
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Hi Sharna
Climate change isnt something I know much about or pay much attention to it. It always seems like something to worry about in the future. I found your blog to be very captivating. Once I started reading it I actually wanted to keep going and read more. It is very well written: Clear, concise and to the point the way things should be to help people understand what the effects are. I was really surprised to hear about the direct effects on Hunger and Poverty as a result of climate change. Your blog has definitely opened up my eyes to these current issues. I hope you get the chance to keep blogging as I look forward to reading more!
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Hi Sharna
Thanks for your insightful blog on climate change. As everyone else has stated it is really something that I have not worried about and always thought – oh yeah this wont affect me but I can now cleary see that if we dont do something about this now then my children are most certainly going to be affected in the future. Your statistics about deaths in under developed countries is quite shocking when you put it into perspective with 9/11 yet no one ever seems to hear about these and the fact that a lot are children is really sad – It is hard to believe that these people can not even have a drink of water, yet we all complain at how horrible tap water tastes (well I do anyway!!)
Thanks for making things a little clearer I now understand that all the little things that we can do will make a change if all of us do it!!! Also thanks to opening my eyes up to the constant struggle that the people in these under developed countries face everyday, it is nice to see that you are trying to help and do something about it and get the message out there instead of burying your head in the sand which most of us are a little guilty of!!. Goodluck with everything Xx
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Hi Sharna,
To be honest the issues of Climate Change don’t really appear relavent to me, most likely because they are such a far-reaching concept. However, Global Poverty is an issue that I think many people can relate to and the consequences of Climate Change for the Third World are far-reaching and dire.
Thank you for your great contribution to the debate Sharna. I can’t wait to read your next installment!
Rhiannon
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It seems so stupid that the countries that can afford to cut back on driving their cars and heating their homes and develop new technologies that would cut carbon emissions are so reluctant to, when its the places in the world who are most likely to live under the poverty line and not have the infrastructure to ensure clean drinking water are the ones who will pay the price. You have really opened my eyes Sharna! I had no idea about the links between climate change and disease, and I certainly think that if you get the message across linking climate change to poverty and disease it appears to be so much more important than a far off ice cap getting a bit smaller every year.
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I LOVE the way you begin the article by putting the idea of climate change into perspective by using the 9/ll analogy. It makes the outcomes of climate change much easier to envision than merely listing facts and figures and telling us the same old story. I too have not always seen climate change and poverty going hand in hand, but I think I will after reading your blog!
The format was practical therefore making it painless to read through. I rarely ever read articles word for word and your format made it easy for me to skim but the content and writing style actually made me WANT to read all of it. I also enjoyed that you ended with a question… it allows the reader to decide for themselves and after reading your blog the answer should be “YES, it is worth trying to fix the problem – just in case!”
Nice work! -
I found this particular blog to be one of the more engaging entries for this challenge. Not only was it well written and insightful, the simple, easy-to-understand language and format made me actually WANT to read it. Usually I find articles regarding such topics to be contrived and full of scientific mumbo jumbo, making me simply skim them or not read them at all. Sharna, you have managed to turn a fairly dry topic (no offence ActionAid!) into enjoyable reading. Not only that, you managed to teach me a thing or two without me realising I was learning! I’ve already passed on some of your little stats to others particularly, as others have stated, the 9/11 statistic which really made me stop and think. Definitely thought provoking stuff! Well done!
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Sharna,
You did a great job of addressing why climate change is a problem for everyone, but how it most seriously affects the poor. I think this link escapes many people. A lot of educated individuals know that poverity and climate change are a problem, but not how they are related. The debate about whether or not global warming is happening (of course it is) tends to get people bogged down in the math and science of it all. Regardless of the numbers, we can’t continue to treat the earth like a trashcan. Events like 9/11 tend to earn the media coverage time because they are sensational and objectively caused by humans, but so is climate change! In fact, I can’t think of anything MORE sensational than mass extincions. Great job on this post, and in general! I have no doubt that you will be able to shed a young and enthusiastic light on any and all of the issues you will cover working for ActionAid!
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Never had i concieved the effect climate change is having on global poverty. ‘A dummies guide’ to climate change and poverty was truly a great way to get your message across as was so insightful and informative, it really helped me to understand issues that usually i don’t pay attention to because i find them too hard to understand. Your analogies to other world events everyone knows about and facts and figures your blog made your message real and scary, which climate change and global poverty is. It angers me that Australians whinge that they can only water their roses and shrubbery every once in a while, when as your global perspective shows the worlds water levels are going to effect people’s ability to live rather than the prettyness of someones front garden. Sharna your blog shows that you have the ability to communicate to a diverse range people, you make your articles interesting and informative and ensure the right message is there for people to understand. You’d be a fantatsic blogger for ActionAid and i wish you the best of luck!
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Thought provoking stuff. I like the way you use terms that the ordinary person can understand. None of this scientific stuff that people use when they discuss climate change. You demonstrate an ability to relate to everyday people and keep their attention without “dumbing it down” while still making sure that the important facts are relayed.
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Sharna I absolutely agree. I have been trying to communicate this stuff with people all year, and you have made it simple, relevant and guilt-provoking for everyone! I really hope you do well in ActionAid, your writing style is excellent for this type of blog, and you have lots of facts in there that aren’t just copied from the IPCC or all the others that main CC campaigners focus on, which just shows not only how well you have done your research but how extensive the research actually is!
Best of luck. -
I already knew that Sharna is intelligent and a great travel buddy, but I had no idea how well she could write! The way you engage the readers with your casual, but very informative writing style is the very purpose of a blog. Outreaching to all audiences is so important, and by clearly defining the links between climate change and poverty it made everything very comprehensible. I love how Sharna added personal experiences from her trip to the Philippines, and I know that she has many more insights from her travels to share. ~Best of luck to you~
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Walsh, thanks for your putting pen to paper.. Well, hands to keyboard on this. I understood that climate change was insidious in its far reaching effects but hadn’t made the connection with hunger and thirst or disease.
It’s easy to get blindsided by facts and figures and lose sight of the core of things. That it’s real people, just like you and I, that are being laid to waste simply because they weren’t as fortunate as to be born in a country that has the resources to stave off these kinds of aftereffects.
I thoroughly look forward to reading more from you, and learning more along the way.
P.S. I like that you made the 9/11 comparison. Genocide, disease, disaster and poverty claim countless times over the lives lost on 9/11 but no one is starting wars over them. As you pointed out, it’s easy to lose perspective when we look at ‘Third World’ countries.
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Hi Sharna,
Have finally got a chance to read your blog, and I am glad I did. As an environmental student these are some very real facts of life that we learn about, and I am very glad to see you have been given the opportunity to enlighten others to the unfortunate and tragic circumstances climate change brings about.
I would like to say I am hopeful with the Copenhagen summit being held this week, however, realistically I do not think the drastic measures that need to be taken, will be taken. In saying this, I am an optimist, generally speaking, and I think the time will come that humanity will stand up and do the right thing, hopefully its not too late.
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Hi Sharna,
I was wondering if I could have permission to link your blog to a post I’m doing. I go to the University of North Carolina (UNC in the states), and I think people could gain a lot from reading what you have to say. You can email me at the above address, or feel free to comment here as I read ActionAid often.
Thank you!
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Very interesting article Sharna. Definitely made me think. I always thought climate change was mainly to do with preserving the world for the future generations, but after reading your article I can see it is a very immediate problem, especially for those who can least afford to have problems. I will definitely try to do my bit to halt the climate change. Thank you for opening my eyes to this disaster.
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sharna,
what an interesting read! Your blog was very informative and you can tell that you are very passionate about the topic. Its fantastic to read that you have opened not only my eyes but so many others about climate change. There are so many facts/factors that people tend to over look but you have broadend my/their knowledge just by reading your blog!
Looking forward to your next blog!!
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Hi Sharna! Great work! You astound me yet again
The link between climate change and poverty I only heard of very recently, and it gave me yet another reason that proves the seriousness of climate change and reinforces the fact that our governments need to do something more, and soon! But, it is only through my own studies that I found out about this link, and only people like us that would find out about it because it is related to what we study, other people in the world aren’t as likely to hear about this extraordinary link between poverty and climate change, but with your help, they can. Your post above is the perfect explanation and “dummy guide” to all those millions of people who know nothing about the issue, and considering those of us whose study is related to it only just found out about it, it is likely to be a vast amount of people that you could inform with this new information and I can’t think of a better way to get it across. I also love the fact that you had done ‘on the ground research’ and gotten a comment from the man in the Phillipines that was helping with the disaster. You definitely know what you are talking about and have put the information across in a captivating way, a difficult thing to do with a topic like this. Well done, I look forward to seeing more of your work soon! -
Really interesting linking climate change and an increase in disease, I’ve never read about that before. I agree that you have gotten a lot of information across in a way which is engaging and accessible to the average person. Good luck, I look forward to learning more from you
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really great, easy to read blogs about climate change and it’s effect on poor countries http://bit.ly/73n2lE
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Reading: Dummies Guide to Climate Change and Poverty #cop15 http://ow.ly/MCOo
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Great, great work Sharna! Please keep the blogs coming, even without further challenges
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