climate change: the issues

While we are beginning to feel a few of the effects here, some of the world’s poorest people are already on the frontline and it is only going to get worse.

Climate change threatens billions of the world’s poorest people. Our recent report 'The climate of Poverty' in May 2006 estimated that 182 million people in sub-Saharan Africa could die of disease directly attributable to climate change by the end of the century.

Millions more throughout the world face death and devastation due to climate-induced floods, drought and conflict. Tens of millions of people are likely to be made homeless and left without the means to make a living.

Christian Aid believes there is hope. We will continue to be there in the aftermath of disasters, providing emergency food, temporary shelter.

But we are also working with communities to help them alter their ways of living in the face of a changing climate, to help them better prepare for and adapt to the effects of climate change.

By strengthening people’s assets and livelihoods, we try to ensure that the risks they face don’t turn into a disaster.

We hope the Grand Designs’ eco-house and garden will open your eyes to the challenges of climate change and raise awareness of the Christian Aid's work in addressing the impact of climate change in some of the world’s poorest communities.

We hope it will inspire you to look at how our own lifestyles, homes and the transport we use account for more than one-third of the UK’s carbon emissions and a little less than one-third of Ireland’s.

But we can limit the amount of damage we are doing to the world around us. By curbing our own carbon emissions and campaigning for the government to do the same, we could slow the rise in temperature around the world.

Each of us can make a difference, often in the simplest ways and often saving money too!

• Find out how on our eco-tips page