Climate Change Target: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes, reverse loss of environmental resources
"The climate has changed. Because of the drought we don’t know whether we’ll harvest anything at all"
– Andrew, 22 from Malawi
Climate change will affect us all, but it is the poor who are hit the hardest. They are the most vulnerable to natural disasters, the most reliant on harvests for their livelihood and the least able to relocate from affected areas.
Across the globe climate change is causing severe problems, including increasingly long and frequent periods of drought, decreasing rainfall but increasing flash floods, disrupted agricultural cycles and subsequent declining crop yields.
Millennium Development Goal 7 is about ensuring environmental stability, with a target of integrating the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and reversing the loss of environmental resources. The potential effects of climate change are so vast that they could jeopardise other development work and the fulfilment of all of the MDGs.
Serious international action is needed. The annual UN Climate Change talks take place in Bali next month and this year is crucial as negotiations must start on a tough new treaty to tackle climate change once the current Kyoto targets end in 2012.
The picture looks bleak, but there is something that we can do about it. Write to the Secretary of State for the Environment Hilary Benn urging him to ensure the UK takes a strong lead at the talks. Pray about the situation and encourage others to be informed and involved through Micah Story and Micah Invite.
Lord,
We lift up to you all those affected by floods, droughts, earthquakes, hurricanes and corrupt stewardship. Thank you that you not only created each person but you also fine-tuned your creation for life.
We pray that you inspire those who have resources to provide abundantly. We pray also for a further change in our collective stewardship so that we minimise further erosion of resources and promote life.
And we pray in particular for the UN Climate Change conference in December in relation to a new agreement for emissions targets to come into effect after the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol.
Teach me O Lord your ways, so that in my daily life I may honour you and be a good steward of what you have entrusted to me so that my life contributes to the ecological and social balance in this world.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
The annual UN Climate Change Talks take place in Bali in early December. This year’s talks are critical: negotiations must start for a tough new treaty to tackle climate change after the current Kyoto targets end in 2012.
Write to Secretary of State for the Environment Hilary Benn asking him to support the recommendations on climate change that coalition member Tearfund has made to the Government. Urge him to ensure the UK takes a strong lead at the talks.
The Climate Change Pentathlon
"We ourselves believe that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop."– Mother Teresa
Invite one person this month to join you in taking five to help stop climate change.
