cafod.org.uk finding out about … the impacts of climate change

Main menu …the possible impacts of climate change. 1 …CAFOD case studies. The impacts of climate change around the world. 2 Click on the buttons to find out about…

Climate change could affect different parts of the world in different ways. Click on the buttons to find out the possible impacts of a changing climate. Sea level Drought Flooding Storms Deforestation Temperature ⊠ back to main menu Sea level Drought Flooding Storms Temperature CAFOD works in many countries across the world. We stand side by side with poor communities, to end poverty and injustice. Some of these communities are already dealing with the effects of a changing climate.

More intense and unpredictable rainfall could produce more flash floods. In coastal areas, there could be more flooding due to more frequent storms and higher sea levels. Sea level Flooding Storms Temperature ⊠ back to main menu Drought Flooding affects lives - washing away homes, schools and even people.

Millions of people living on small, low-lying islands and in low-lying areas will be at risk of flooding. Salt from rising sea levels could pollute ground water making it undrinkable and more difficult to grow crops. ⊠ back to main menu Sea level Flooding Storms Temperature Drought Scientists say sea levels could rise by the end of the century. There are two reasons: 1. As the water in the oceans warms, it expands and takes up more space. 2. Ice from the polar caps and from glaciers is melting, adding more water to the seas.

Droughts are likely to be more frequent and more intense. With a 2-3°C temperature rise possible over the next 20 years, up to 200 million more people could be at risk of hunger.* ⊠ back to main menu Sea level Flooding Storms Temperature Drought In some areas there will be less water available for drinking and to water crops because there will be less rain.

Intense storms, known as hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons, could happen much more often and be more intense as a result of a changing climate. ⊠ back to main menu Sea level Flooding Storms Temperature Drought Storms can be devastating to the lives of people. They can cause damage to homes and schools and loss of lives.

Scientists agree that temperature rises must be below a rise of 2°C to help limit dangerous climate change. ⊠ back to main menu Sea level Flooding Storms Temperature Drought The earth is getting hotter – the past 30 years have been the warmest in the northern hemisphere during the last 1,400 years.

Kenya UK Philippines Peru Myanmar Click on the map to read about the different impacts that a changing climate can have and how CAFOD is helping communities adapt and prepare. ⊠ back to main menu

* source : In , Kenya was badly hit by the East Africa drought. Millions of people were affected. Map KENYA CAFOD worked together with people, handing out emergency food and helping communities collect and save the water that they have.

Map Droughts are common in the area that Chanaet lives. Recently people say they are getting worse. CAFOD is working together with families like Chanaet’s to find ways to adapt to the changing climate. This is Chanaet. She is 11 years old and lives in Kenya with her family.

Map Using a solar powered pump, water is pumped from the river to water crops. This means crops can grow even if there is not enough rain. Chanaet’s mum works in the greenhouse. They sell the tomatoes they grow to help raise money to have the things they need. Using solar energy is great. It does not harm the climate or the environment, like burning fossil fuels does.

In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines. It was one of the strongest storms ever to hit land. Many people died. Homes, schools and roads were destroyed. Map Philippines After the storm, CAFOD worked with local people to make sure they had what they needed, like shelter, food and water.

Since the storm, CAFOD has been working alongside people in the Philippines to help them to rebuild their lives. CAFOD has helped people to find ways to make a living again, by giving them seeds, tools and equipment. Map

They now have a new home, funded by CAFOD. CAFOD has helped many communities to repair or rebuild their schools and build new homes that will cope with future disasters. Map This is Mary-Faith. She is seven years old. Her family’s house was destroyed during Typhoon Haiyan.

In Myanmar, cyclones are common. In 2008, Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar. It was the most powerful cyclone to ever hit the country. Sadly, it killed some people and many villages were destroyed. Cyclones in Myanmar Map

This is Zin Thu Thu. She is eight years old. Myanmar Map Zin Thu Thu goes to classes with her friends about how to keep safe if another emergency comes. They have learnt to keep an emergency bag in case there is a cyclone. They keep emergency food, water, medicine and other things in the bag.

Myanmar Map CAFOD has been working together with the whole of Zin Thu Thu’s community to find ways to stay safe. The community practice emergency drills so they can prepare for what to do during a cyclone. It’s a bit like a fire drill.

Climate change is often in the news, especially when there is extreme weather. Remember the UK floods in Climate change affects us all. But it is the poorest countries are most affected. Changes in the climate are likely to cause more extreme weather. Map

CAFOD works in developing countries where people are already tackling the effects of climate change. CAFOD supporters in the UK also call on politicians for action to tackle climate change worldwide. Find out about and how you can get involved in our campaign. Map

Peru Many of the world’s tropical glaciers are found in Peru. But with a changing climate, the glaciers are melting. The people who live near these glaciers rely on them for water. As the glaciers melt, life is becoming more challenging for the people.

A private company used to control the water in the lagoon. Sometimes they would let lots of water out of the lagoon gates, which would cause floods and crops would die. At other times, they would close the gates for a long time and crops would die. Now the community look after the lagoon themselves. CAFOD supports them to work together and learn about their rights and protecting the environment. Map Here the community are checking the water quality of the rivers and streams for pollution.

cafod.org.uk finding out about … the impacts of climate change Photo credits: Catholic Relief Services, Annie Bungeroth, Caritas Internationalis, CAFOD, Lucasz Cholewiak, Sarah Smith- Pearse, Esen Tunar istock.com