About Climate

Change
The Issue
C L IM AT E C H A NGE is not simply an environmental problem, but fundamentally a
development problem. Throughout the world, we are seeing that the poor are being hurt the
most by a changing climate. It is the very poor who tend to live in the most vulnerable areas,
such as low-lying land prone to flooding, or marginal agricultural land prone to drought.
People living in poverty–especially children—are the most vulnerable to the spread of tropical
diseases. They are more likely to have to leave their homes in search of water or to escape
flooding. They are most vulnerable to the effects of the conflicts likely to arise from tensions
over water, food shortages, and population displacement. The poor are the least able to protect
themselves and are the most likely to suffer from climatic disasters.

The Term
C L IM AT E IS the long-term average of a region’s weather. Climate change represents a change
in these long-term weather patterns. “Global warming” refers to an average increase in the
entire earth’s temperature, which, in turn, causes changes in climate.

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The Facts
»

T H E IN T E R -GO V ER NMENTA L PA NEL on Climate Change (IPCC) has
found that:
“Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations
of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of
snow and ice, and rising global average sea level.”

Human-induced Climate Change has lead to a warming of the earth’s climate

system, caused primarily from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated
with industrial activity. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most important human
generated GHG.

Basic life depends upon a balance of CO2 and oxygen: humans take in oxygen
and exhale CO2; green plants take in CO2 and release oxygen. Excessive
amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere traps heat. The combined impact of
progressive deforestation and the release of industrial GHGs has significantly
increased the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, raising the average surface
temperature of the earth, threatening this balance. (Source: Inter-Governmental
Panel on Climate Change, Fourth Assessment Report, Working Group One,
Summary for Policymakers, p. 5.)

» A S M A NY AS 175 MILLIO N C HILDR EN face danger from the effects of climate

change as experts predict more natural disasters during the next 10 years. 50 million
more children will be affected by natural disaster than in the last decade. An increase
in torrential rain, mudslides and flooding during the next decade is likely. (Source: Save
the Children report “Legacy of Disaster: The Impact of Climate Change on Children.”)

» M O R E F R E QUENT and long-lasting heat waves caused by climate change could

lead to more droughts. (Source: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)

» B E T W E E N 2 00 MILLIO N A ND 600 MILLIO N people could be without food as

a result of climate change by 2080. (Source: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor, “Every Child
Counts: New Global Estimates on Child Labor”, April 2002, p. 41 and summary of
highlights; www.ilo.org)

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How Climate Change
Impacts the Poor
F O R T HE P O O R , climate change is neither fiction nor a far-off threat, but a present-day
reality. Climate change is a natural disaster intensifier: making floods more fierce, droughts
more chronic and severe, and hurricanes harsher. This increase in the intensity and numbers of
natural disasters are jeopardizing the ability of poor communities to grow crops, access water,
and house and feed themselves. These cumulative events, stemming from climate change, has
pushed many back into poverty.

C H A NGE S T O S E A SO NA L WEAT HER patterns means that the crops and planting methods
farmers have depended on for generations are failing.

M O R E DR O UGH T S A ND FLO O DING also mean that more people, who were once able
to feed themselves, go hungry. The United Nations says one in six countries already faces
food shortages due to droughts that could become semi-permanent because of climate change.
Drought has a devastating effect on water supply, but so does rising sea levels. In Bangladesh,
aid workers say sea water is seeping into wells, making the water unfit for drinking and
irrigation.

S C IE NT IS T S are also concerned about people who depend on water from glaciers and melting
snow in places like the Andes and the Himalayas. They believe rising global temperatures could
lead to severe water shortages for up to a sixth of the world’s population.

GL O B A L WA R M IN G creates prime conditions for many infectious and mosquito-born

diseases. The parasite that spreads malaria, for example, develops more quickly in warmer
temperatures.

T H E S E K IN DS O F PR O B LEMS have led the World Health Organization to attribute five

million extra illnesses and 150,000 extra deaths each year to disease and malnutrition caused
by climate change.

T H E C ATA S T R O P HIC WEAT HER events associated with global warming have a bigger
impact on the poor, because they often live in places that lack the long-term planning and
engineering that could protect their homes and crops. They also lack the resources to replant
and rebuild when disaster strikes and are less likely to have access to medical care to treat or
prevent diseases.

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The Scripture in this resource
is from the HOLY BIBLE,
NEW INTERNATIONAL
VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright
© 1973, 1978, 1984 by
International Bible Society. Used
by permission of Zondervan. All
rights reserved.
During the preparation of this
resource, all citations, facts,
figures, Internet URLs, and
other cited information were
verified for accuracy. World
Vision Resources has made
every attempt to reference
current and valid sources, but
we cannot guarantee the content
of any source and we are not
responsible for any changes that
may have occurred since our
verification. If you find an error
in, or have a question or concern
about, any of the information
or sources listed within, please
contact World Vision Resources.
Why Christians Should Care
about Climate Change
L O V E O F GO D. Christians must care about climate change because we love and
reverence God the Creator and Jesus our Lord, through whom and for whom all creation
was made. Human beings did not create this earth—God created this earth; human beings are
stewards. Because this is God’s world, any damage that we do to God’s world is an offense
against God Himself (Gen. 1; Ps. 24; Col. 1:16).
L O V E O F N E IGH BO R . Christians must care about climate change because it impacts the poor
the most, who did the least to contribute to the problem, and have the least resources to cope. As
Christians, we are called to love our neighbors, to do unto others as we would have them do unto
us, and to protect and care for the least of these as though each was Jesus Christ himself
(Mt. 22:34-40; Mt. 7:12; Mt. 25:31-46).
A C A L L T O S T E WA R DSHIP. Because climate change is human-induced, for Christians, this
problem brings to light the fact that when God made humanity He commissioned us to exercise
stewardship over the earth and its creatures. Climate change is the latest evidence of our failure to
exercise proper stewardship, but constitutes a critical opportunity for us to do better (Gen. 1:26-28).
Love of God, love of neighbor, and the demands of stewardship are reasons for every Christian
to take responsibility for the climate change issue with moral passion and concrete action.
What Can You Do?
»
S P E N D S O ME T IME exploring websites or Internet resources relating to this issue.
» S H O P AT A LO C A L farmers’ market for groceries grown in your area. Insist your
fruits and vegetables come some place nearby. Buying local fruits and vegetables helps
maintain nearby farmlands and wildlife habitats and reduces the pollution created when
produce is shipped great distances.
»
R E P L A C E A LL LIGHT bulbs with energy-saving fluorescent bulbs and reduce your
weekly garbage to a maximum of two bags.
»
GIV E S O M EO NE T HE T O O LS they need to live an eco-friendly way of life. Gifts
offered in the World Vision Gift Catalog like a solar cooker, can use sunlight to heat
food and it doesn’t require carbon emitting fuels to operate. This helps families become
less dependent on firewood, while encouraging the conservation of trees. Solar panels
for a school or clinic in a developing country can help provide opportunities and
environmental sustainability. Visit www.worldvisionresources.com, then click on the
“programs and events” icon.
Copyright © 2010 World Vision, Inc., P.O. Box 9716, Mail Stop 321, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716,
wvresources@worldvision.org. All rights reserved.
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 About World Vision
W O R L D V IS IO N is a Christian humanitarian organization
dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities
worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of
poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World
Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of
God’s unconditional love for all people. We see a world where each
child experiences “fullness of life” as described in John 10:10. And we
know this can be achieved only by addressing the problems of poverty
and injustice in a holistic way. That’s how World Vision is unique:
We bring 60 years of experience in three key areas needed to help
children and families thrive: emergency relief, long-term development,
and advocacy. And we bring all of our skills across many areas of
expertise to each community we work in, enabling us to care for
children’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Partnering with World Vision provides tangible ways to honor

God and put faith into action. By working, we can make a lasting
difference in the lives of children and families who are struggling to
overcome poverty. To find out more about how you can help, visit
www.worldvision.org.

About World Vision Resources

E NDING GL O B A L PO V ERT Y and injustice begins with education:
understanding the magnitude and causes of poverty, its impact on
human dignity, and our connection to those in need around the world.

World Vision Resources is the publishing ministry of World Vision.

World Vision Resources educates Christians about global poverty,
inspires them to respond, and equips them with innovative resources
to make a difference in the world.

For more information about our

resources, contact:
World Vision Resources
Mail Stop 321
P.O. Box 9716
Federal Way, WA 98063-9716
Fax: 253-815-3340
wvresources@worldvision.org
www.worldvisionresources.com

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