Moranga plants are being grown and harvested in Ethiopia as part of World Vision's work to combat the effects of climate change in this region.
In the coming months, you'll read a lot about global leaders meeting at the United Nations Climate Change conference in Copenhagen in December 2009. Copenhagen represents a crucial opportunity for governments to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
The theme of this year's World Environment Day 2009 was 'Your Planet Needs You - Unite to Combat Climate Change'. It was all about encouraging local action as part of a larger global movement to create change.
This theme reflects the urgency for people to create a groundswell of local action on climate change and influence their governments to agree on a new deal at Copenhagen. With the links between climate change and entrenched poverty becoming more apparent, it's essential that people around the world 'unite for change'.
How is climate change affecting the World Vision family?
Climate change makes it harder for poor communities to grow crops, find water, food and shelter and avoid conflict. A lack of fertile soil affects crops and therefore food supplies and incomes. A lack of trees, whether cut down or unable to grow in the soil, means the community has little shelter, no firewood to cook with and few alternative income opportunities.
People may then leave their communities in great numbers to find food and work, causing labour shortages and fragmenting communities.
Harnessing human action for climate change.
Credit: Andrew North, Cloud 9 Aerial Photography
What is being done?
World Vision recognises that protecting the environment is an essential part of reducing global poverty, and ensuring the health and wellbeing of millions of children in the world's poorest countries.
We are working on environmental measures within sponsored communities to keep people sustained and stable. Initiatives include supporting tree nurseries, training farmers in sustainable practices and supporting community-led plans to reduce erosion and increase soil fertility.
World Vision is also working with other agencies to represent these communities at Copenhagen and champion a climate change deal that is fair and just . Decisions made here will have a direct bearing on us all.
You can help - become an E-Monitor!
Register as an E-Monitor and help us ensure the Australian Government plays a constructive role in UN negotiations to halt climate change and help developing countries tackle the impacts of climate change.
