ACT International is calling on world leaders at Copenhagen to take action now to stop climate change, challenging them to clean up the climate for the sake of millions of the world’s poorest people. CWS is a member of the global alliance.
Around 18 ACT members from northern and southern countries are in the Danish capital for COP15, the 15th UN Climate Change Conference.   Several ACT members have stands, all with a similar message: climate change is hurting most those people least able to afford life-saving measures to cope with the effects of climate change.  
In line with statements from APRODEV, a European organisation of humanitarian agencies, ACT says this is the last chance the world has to keep global temperatures rises to below 2degC.  The demand is for government leaders to bring about a fair and effective deal at over the following fortnight.
ACT International members will have a presence throughout the talks, with a stand focusing on how local people are working to counter the effects of climate change.  ACT Director John Nduna has three days of high-level ecumenical meetings.  He heads to Copenhagen on December 12, with a strong message from the people most affected by climate change but whose voices are least heard.

 

“Everyone must take action now.   It’s a matter of justice.  It’s already too late for millions of people in the developing world who need assistance adapting to the changed climate.   We need a fair and effective climate change agreement that will halt, or at least stem, this change.  Funding is also needed if vulnerable communities are to confront future threats.

“What steps, what measures are we taking to ensure we are not making matters worse?  Mitigation is crucial.  It is the whole issue of reducing our carbon footprint and emissions and increasing measures to produce renewable energy,” Mr Nduna says.
ACT says agreement in Copenhagen must serve the interests of the worlds’ most vulnerable communities by:
•      Recognising that adapting and mitigating to climate change are linked and are equally important.  
•    Enhancing financial and technical support for adaptation to ensure an equitable agreement. This means that any agreement on adaptation relating to risk management must include disaster risk reduction and disaster preparedness.
•      Providing means for those affected by climate change to be involved in seeking adaptation solutions.
Disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response are vital front-line defences for vulnerable communities, especially in risk-prone parts of the world.

8 December 2009