Caritas is helping poor communities in Bolivia deal with the impact of climate change

Credits: Alexander Bühler/ Caritas Germany

The harsh effects of climate change are already becoming a daily reality for poor communities inmany countries where Caritas works. Unpredictable or extreme weather is undermining the humanitarian and development work of Caritas and threatens to increase the number of emergencies in the future.

Calling for a new global ethic
The answer to the climate change crisis lies in the hands of humanity – in a revived sense of solidarity and a realisation that we all have a duty to work towards the common good.

Caritas published ‘Climate Justice: Seeking a global ethic’ – a synthesis of the ethical, moral and theological dimensions of the crisis, an analysis of its impact on the poor and an overview of Caritas programming and advocacy on climate change.

Caritas argued that victory over climate change would only come at a price, and the lion’s share of that price should rightly be paid by those countries who have benefited most from the growth and development that is causing climate change.

Caritas work on climate change in 2009 was aimed at:
  • Influencing international, regional, and national policies
  • Supporting adaptation and mitigation programmes in poor communities
  • Promoting changes in individual and community behaviour
  • Implementing sustainable work practices within the Caritas confederation

A year in campaigning

The year 2009 was a year of intense activity on climate change in the run-up to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting in Copenhagen in December...

Green housing in the USA

A member of Catholic Charities USA (part of Caritas Internationalis), FSL builds homes that prioritise safety, comfort, low cost maintainability and gentle impact on the environment...

Prayers and petitions at Copenhagen

The Copenhagen Summit on climate change brought together 119 heads of state and governments. Caritas representatives and bishops came from 25 countries...

A desert garden in Chad

Granite hills mark the horizon. The ground is carpeted with rocks. Apart from the dried up river beds (ouaddis) there is nowhere for vegetation to grow. Thorny shrubs are the only desert plant life. Nature is hostile in Eastern Chad...