Why Climate Change is a Poverty Issue

The mainstream debate on climate change has centered around many issues from polar bears, melting ice caps and carbon markets. However, the debate rarely focuses on the impact on poor communities.

The fact is poor communities both here in the U.S. and around the world are the most vulnerable to climate related natural disasters. Many poor people rely on agriculture and the land for their livelihoods and intensifying the impact of climate related natural disasters on their lives.

In particular, women who constitute the majority of the world's poor are often the hardest hit. In many communities, women's traditional roles such as food and water gathering have made them the front line in the climate change battle. While women in poor communities are more vulnerable, they are less likely to have education, opportunities and resources they need to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

While solutions to climate change that deal with mitigation such as emissions cutting is an important goal, Oxfam America's campaign focuses on helping poor communities adapt to the consequences of climate change that are here today. By supporting such projects we can help poor communities create resiliency to climate related disasters. Oxfam America has partnered with local organizations around the world on projects to help communities prepare for natural disasters and reduce their vulnerabilities. Examples of adaptation projects include:

• Creating a coastal barrier to floods with mangrove trees;
• Placing homes in flood-prone areas on raised platforms;
• Micro-insurance programs for farmers in drought ridden areas;
• Food banks for times of food shortage.

WHAT CAN WE DO IN INDY?

Currently, policymakers in the U.S. are crafting legislative proposals to tackle the climate change issue. As policymakers work on a comprehensive climate change we are asking that they the legislation includes funding for projects that will help poor communities cope with the effects of climate change.

You can become a volunteer with Oxfam Action Corps in Indianapolis to help advocate for this and other issues effecting poor communities at home and around the globe. Or you can contact your representatives and tell them that you want legislation that includes funding for international adaptation projects. For more information on how to act now e-mail us at: Indianapolis@oxfamactioncorps.org.