Why Climate Change? Questions & Answers

There's a lot of fuss out there about climate change already - aren't you just jumping on the bandwagon?

Not at all. Oxfam has carried out its own in-depth research on climate change. We have concluded that it is an issue that demands our time, attention and funding. Our campaigning is about connecting with the problems people face in the developing world and fighting for justice alongside them. Poor countries are already experiencing climate change with a vengeance.

But isn't this primarily a 'green' issue?

Climate change is hugely important to the world's poor. We need a broad coalition to tackle it, beyond the environmental movement. It threatens to undermine the fight against global poverty. People already struggling to work themselves out of poverty are the ones least able to deal with the effects: especially in areas already prone to natural disasters.

What do we need to do?

Well, first of all, we have to help people cope. We already work with poor communities 'to help them prepare for disasters before they happen'. We will continue this work by helping those communities to work in ways that will allow them to adapt to the effects of climate change. However, the scale of adjustment needed to deal with climate change means that major new funding will be needed. As well as paying to help ease the problem we've created, rich countries need to make drastic cuts in greenhouse gases immediately.

But you work in poor countries. Is it really up to you to tell people in Ireland to change the way they live?

Just as in our trade campaign, we want to get at the causes of injustice, not just the symptoms. This means working hard to get tough international agreements on climate change. But it also means taking a good look at what we do at home. That's why we're working with the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition and the NI Climate Change Coalition.

Isn't the problem with places like the US and China, not us?

Actually Ireland has some of the worst greenhouse gas emissions per head in Europe - the sixth highest in the world. Northern Ireland lags badly behind England, Scotland and Wales in tackling the problem.

Governments like the US government have been a big problem in tackling climate change - that's why Oxfam is also campaigning in the US and elsewhere to ensure that they meet their responsibilities to cut carbon emissions and support poor countries to adapt. There were some positive signs at the talks in Bali in December - but there is a long way to go. There needs to be a truly international effort if it is to succeed - we all need to play our part.

For more detail on the reasons behind Oxfam Ireland's decision to campaign on climate change read Oxfam International's report, Climate Alarm

Act Now

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