Suffering the Science

Climate change, people, and poverty

'Suffering the Science' combines the latest scientific observations on climate change, with evidence from the communities Oxfam works with in almost 100 countries around the world, to reveal how the changing climate is already hitting poor people hard.

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Summary

This report outlines evidence of how global warming is affecting every issue linked to poverty and development from access to food and water to health and security. It warns that without immediate action 50 years of development gains in poor countries will be permanently lost.

One of the most worrying trends highlighted in the report is the impact of erratic weather on agriculture. Poor farmers, who can no longer rely on seasons, are losing crop after crop because of sudden heat waves or heavy rains.

‘Suffering the Science’ has been published ahead of the G8 Summit in Italy (8 – 12 July) where climate change is on the agenda.

Rich industrialised countries created the climate crisis and they have the financial resources to tackle it.  This gives them a double duty to act to:

• Mobilise the $150bn needed – in addition to existing aid commitments – to help poor countries adapt to the effects of climate change and reduce emissions.
• Commit to deliver their fair share of the emissions reductions needed – the science tells us this means an overall cut in emissions of at least 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, and at least 80 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050.

Oxfam International Briefing Paper

Author: Alex Renton. Alex is a journalist specialising in poverty and development and in food culture and food policy around the world.

Publication date: 6 July 2009