Primary Functions
- Understand how climate change is making it harder for people in the world’s poorest countries to rely on being able to drink clean water every day.
- Learn how inadequate amounts of climate finance are currently being spent in these countries to help cope with the impacts of climate change.
Detailed Description
Climate change is happening now. Never before have we witnessed so many extreme weather events this frequently – severe droughts, powerful storms, devastating floods and cyclones. All that disrupt and destroy lives, whilst reshaping our environment and our futures.
Climate change will impact every aspect of life on the planet – and its effect on vulnerable communities, water resources and water supply systems threatens to be one of the most devastating. For the two billion people who already lack daily access to a reliable source of drinking water, the additional hardship brought about by climate change can mean the difference between health or sickness, thriving or barely surviving. The greatest injustice is that the people who will suffer the most from our changing climate, have done the least to cause it.
By 2050, the number of people who will struggle to get water for at least one month every year will have swollen to five billion – so over 50% of the world’s population.
Climate change increases the unpredictability of weather patterns and the frequency and severity of extreme weather events leading to greater hardship. The more we allow global temperatures to rise, the greater the impacts will be on communities without access to clean water.
The communities featured in this briefing have done very little to contribute to the carbon emissions that are causing global warming, yet stand to lose everything unless action is taken. Clean water and decent toilets is one of the first lines of defence against climate change for these people.
