Environment
Pastoralists in Ethiopia bring livestock to a Trócaire built well during the dry season
The impact of climate change in the developing world is expected to exacerbate the problems faced by the world’s most vulnerable over the next few years. Given the growing importance of environmental issues in its work, Trócaire is developing a new programme on environmental justice.
As the enormous impact of climate change on the planet becomes increasingly evident Trócaire is driven by the fact that the poorest countries and communities are paying the greatest price for the unsustainable use of natural resources. Poor countries feel the effects of climate change sooner, and more strongly, and their coping mechanisms are less developed.
For example, the almost complete failure of the October – December 2005 ‘short rains’ season in the Horn of Africa contributed to a situation where the already marginal existence of millions of farming and pastoralist (nomadic farming) families was severely threatened. As the region’s weather becomes more unstable and destructive weather events more severe, largely due to global climate change caused by pollution of the developed world, pastoralist and farming communities have seen their herds and crops devastated, not only placing them in immediate peril, but also depriving them of the means necessary to restock and replant for future seasons. Many of these people have in effect lost everything.
In cases such as this, Trócaire is working in the region helping people develop coping mechanisms and strategies to help them survive future emergencies. But coping mechanisms are not enough, and Trócaire is committed to tackling the underlying environmental issues associated with poverty as part of our overall approach to development.
Climate Change and Family Farming in Brazil
Below you can watch a video based on a seminar entitled "Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities for Family Farming" that took place in the Northeastern Brazilian State of Paraíba in May, 2007.
The objective of the seminar was to promote a process of sharing information and experiences on climate change, its impact on family farming and environmental services provided by small farmers, to stimulate proactive initiatives to strengthen family farming in Northeastern Brazil.
Environment: Related Items
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World Water Day: A timely reminder of our Lenten campaign
19 March 2008
World Water Day falls on Easter Saturday this year, as Trócaire's Lenten campaign on climate change draws to a close.
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First hand account of climate change by Trócaire speakers
25 February 2008
Trócaire is offering the Irish public a chance to hear two speakers provide a powerful insight on the impact of climate change in Kenya and El Salvador.
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Bali conference fails to set specific targets to stop climate change
17 December 2007
The Bali conference climate change agreement has failed to agree on specific targets to reduce carbon emissions and avoid dangerous climate change.
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US blocks progress at Climate Change Conference
14 December 2007
As World climate change talks come to a conclusion in Bali today, the US are blocking attempts to set specific targets for reducing carbon pollution.
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Trócaire welcomes UNDP report on Climate Change
10 December 2007
Trócaire welcomes the publication of the UNDP Human Development Report on Climate Change.
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UN Conference on Climate Change
07 December 2007
180 countries are currently meeting in Bali, Indonesia to address the issue of climate change. Trócaire's Niamh Garvey is blogging from the event.
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Peru case study: Tambogrande Project
01 September 2006
The effects of mining on indigenous communities has become a major concern in Peru. Learn what Trócaire is doing to address the problem.