Climate Change And The Red Cross Red Crescent

Climate Change

and the Red Cross Red Crescent Red Cross/ Red Crescent Climate Centre

Climate Change and the Red Cross / Red Crescent

What’s happening?  How does it affect us?

 What can we do?

1. What do we know about climate change? Contents

Who are the IPCC? What is the greenhouse effect The temperature rises: then what?

Science and impacts

The global climate change debate IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)

Main findings on climate change  It’s already happening  It’s going to continue happening  The rate of change is alarming  Extreme weather more frequently

IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, 2007

Science and impacts

The greenhouse effect

Science and impacts

Origin and effects of global warming

use of fossil fuels (oil, coal, gas)

rising concentrations of greenhouse gas

rising temperatures (global warming)

changes in local average climate

changes in local weather extremes

Science and impacts

Temperature  Since the Industrial Revolution (1860s) the global average temperature has risen significantly  Sharp increase in rate of temperature rise since 1970

Science and impacts

Temperature  The eleven warmest years on record occurred during the past twelve years

Climate Change is an “unequivocal” fact and “very likely” due to human activity

Science and impacts

Temperature  Global temperatures will continue to rise over the next century.  Different scenarios show different expectations, between +1.8°C and +4.0°C

Temperature trends (expected) +6.0

global surface warming (°C)

+5.0 +4.0

high scenario (A1FI)

+4.0°C

low scenario (B1)

+1.8°C

+3.0 +2.0 +1.0 0.0 -1.0 1900

2000

2100

Climate change will continue

Science and impacts

Who‟s emitting most? And who is paying the highest price?

greenhouse gas emissions

Hazards and human vulnerability

Part 2 Hazards and human vulnerability

 What is changing?  What does it mean for us?

Hazards and human vulnerability

Changing disaster patterns:  weather related disasters doubled over the past 2 decades  increase small- and medium-scale disasters  more uncertainties Disaster trends 400

300

200

100

0

‘90 ‘91 ‘92 ‘93 ‘94 ‘95 ‘96 ‘97 ‘98 ‘99 ‘00 ‘01 ‘02 ‘03 ‘04 ‘05 ‘06 geophysical

epidemics, insect infestations

hydrometeorological

Source: CRED

Hazards and human vulnerability

More warm days and more heatwaves - higher death toll amongst the elderly and disabled - increasing risk of forest fires

Hazards and human vulnerability

More intense rainfall - More floods, landslides - Pollution of water - destroyed harvests

Hazards and human vulnerability

More droughts, more often: - Too little drinking water - Food security threatened - Potential impact on conflict and migration

Hazards and human vulnerability

More intense tropical storms: - higher wind speed and more rainfall

Hazards and human vulnerability

Sea level rise - sea level rise will bring large coastal areas at risk - salt water intrusion threatens water supply and food security - impacts already being felt particularly during storm surge

Hazards and human vulnerability

Melting ice  reduction in water supplies  glacial lake outburst floods Qori Kalis Glacier, Quelccaya Ice Cap, Peru

1978

2002

Hazards and human vulnerability

Health and climate change - shift of diseases to new areas - increase of water borne diseases after floods - increase of diseases due to higher temperatures, humidity or drought

We have to change

Red Cross response to climate change

Part 3 Red Cross response to climate change What can we do?

Red Cross response to climate change

Mitigation and adaptation  mitigation: tackling the causes of climate change  adaptation: adjusting and preparing for change

IFRC

Red Cross work is a humanitarian organisation, hence we engage in climate change adaptation

Red Cross response to climate change

RC/RC International Conference „Together for Humanity‟

International conference 2007

Geneva, November 2007- RC/ RC International Conference

Red Cross response to climate change

Climate risk management Early warning > early action

Climate change increasing risks, trends, more surprises

Seasonal forecasts level of risk in coming months

‘Regular’ forecasts impending hazard

Red Cross experiences: 1.

Vietnam

Mangrove forests

Red Cross response to climate change

Red Cross experiences: 2.

Nicaragua

Hurricane shelters and radio alarm systems for isolated villages

Early warning and evacuation training

Red Cross experiences: 3.

Mozambique

Community based vulnerability and capacity assessment

Red Cross response to climate change

Red Cross experiences: 4.

The Netherlands

Managing the increased risks of heatwaves in the Netherlands

Preparedness for Climate Change Programme • • • • •

•

Co-operation with Met office Building new partnerships Information campaigns Dialogue and communication Understanding climate risks at local level Action Plans!

Key lessons on climate change adaptation

- Integrate climate change risks in regular work/ ongoing programmes - Involving local communities - Foster new partnerships

Red Cross response to climate change

Climate Centre A „How to‟ Guide for RC work  5 years of experiences compiled in the Red Cross/ Red Crescent Climate Guide

Red Cross response to climate change

Further information  www.climatecentre.org  www.ifrc.org