Oxfam is calling on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to be a 'Lifesaver' and lead the way on climate change ahead of crucial United Nations climate talks, which take place in Copenhagen in 100 days.

When world leaders meet in December in Copenhagen, they will agree a new international deal on climate to replace the Kyoto Protocol, the existing international treaty for the reduction of greenhouse gases. The importance of this deal in overcoming catastrophic climate change cannot be overestimated.

Oxfam is currently helping poor countries cope with more natural disasters than ever before, including the worst floods in Africa for three decades and massive floods in Mexico and South Asia, which left 16 million people homeless. The total number of climate-related calamities has quadrupled in the last two decades, with floods, cyclones and storms threatening the livelihoods of over 250 million people a year.

Oxfam is predicting that in six years' time, the number of people across the world affected by crises relating to climate change will rise by 54 per cent to 375 million people, threatening to overwhelm the humanitarian aid system.

Judith Robertson, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said:

"With only 100 Days to Copenhagen, time is running out for the world's poor, who are the worst affected by but least responsible for climate change. Gordon Brown is a crucial player in shaping a fair and safe climate deal in Copenhagen that has the needs of the world's poorest at its heart. The Prime Minister has to act now to save lives."

Oxfam wants world leaders to commit to a deal in Copenhagen that keeps global warming below 2 degrees centigrade and sees rich countries cut their emissions by 40 per cent by 2020 and earmark $150 billion a year to help poor countries fight and adapt to the impact of climate change.