Environment

Global: It doesn't have to be this way, says Christian Aid

2006-09-28, Issue 271

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/environment/37393

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Christian Aid is predicting that tens of millions of the world's poorest people face death and devastation, and risk of losing their homes and means of making a living due to climate-induced floods, drought and conflict. But on the eve of the UN's 6th World Habitat Day, the charity says it doesn't have to be this way.

CHRISTIAN AID PROPOSES NEW WAY OF LIVING TO HELP SURVIVE CLIMATE CHANGE WORLD HABITAT DAY 2ND OCTOBER

Christian Aid press release: For immediate release, pictures and case studies available Christian Aid is predicting that tens of millions of the world's poorest people face death and devastation, and risk of losing their homes and means of making a living due to climate-induced floods, drought and conflict. But on the eve of the UN's 6th World Habitat Day, the charity says it doesn't have to be this way.

Christian Aid is working across the world on ground-breaking initiatives to combat climate change. These new projects are being showcased in a dramatic exhibition at the Grand Designs Live show at the Birmingham's NEC 6-8 Oct, where visitors will see how climate change hits some of the world's poorest communities – but by adapting their ways of living thousands of lives can be saved.

In Christian Aid's recent report The Climate of Poverty, published earlier this year, the charity outlined how 182 million people in sub-Saharan Africa could die of disease directly attributable to climate change by the end of the century and millions more would be left homeless and no livelihoods. The exhibition at Grand Designs is highlighting how these problems are being tackled.

TV garden expert Diarmuid Gavin, is designing the garden and has recently visited Kenya with Christian Aid to see examples of life-saving climate-adaptation projects in action.

Diarmuid Gavin said: 'This is one of the most exciting and challenging projects I've undertaken. The idea of sustainable living is becoming more important, both here and around the world. This is a message that simple solutions work. It was a real joy to see projects like the multi-storey garden which conserves soil and water. In a country like Kenya, where droughts are a real issue, it makes me hopeful that people are using agriculture to take on changes to the climate in ways that are going to work.' Professor Susan Roaf, a leading authority on 'future proofing' the way we live in order to stave off the worst excesses of climate change and soaring energy costs, praised the Christian Aid project:

'It seems so unfair that we, who are the richest people in the world and create the greenhouse gases that are driving climate change, will be among the last to suffer from it, while those who use so little energy in the developing world are on the front line. We have to change the way we live and even now we are discovering that no one is immune from the changes ahead.' Visitors to the display will how people in Honduras, Central America, are building houses in preparation for a predicted increase in the intensity and frequency of hurricanes and tropical storms.

The Bangladesh and Indonesia sections show how poor people are copying with rising sea levels in their countries while in Africa the focus is on preparing for potential drought and food crisis in Kenya and Malawi.

Christian Aid is encouraging people to take action on climate change by reducing their own carbon emissions and pressing governments to take action to stop global warming. Our homes and transport are responsible for about a third of the UK and Ireland's carbon emissions. The UK section of the display will demonstrate easy measures and tips that individuals can take to live more sustainably.

People will also be able to support Christian Aid's work by 'purchasing' a virtual Present Aid gift, some of which are featured in the home, including tree saplings, disaster-survival kits and solar panels. These are gifts that keep on giving by helping people in developing countries to prepare for the challenges of the future.

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For press information, pictures or case studies, please contact Kati Dshedshorov kdshedshorov@christian-aid.org 020 7523 2452 For more information on Christian Aid, and this project, please visit www.christianaid.org.uk/ecohouse Tickets to Grand Designs Live, which runs 6-8 October at the NEC, Birmingham cost £16 on the day, £12 in advance and can be obtained by calling the 24-hour box office on 0870 166 0437 or by visiting www.granddesignslive.com Notes to Editors
1.Christian Aid works in some of the world's poorest communities in more than 50 countries. We act where the need is greatest, regardless of religion, helping people build the life they deserve
2.Christian Aid's climate change work: Poor people are on the frontline of climate change and are already feeling its effects.
Christian Aid is working to help them adapt as their climate changes.
But action is needed in rich countries to cut carbon emissions in order to avoid future climate chaos, which could kill millions across the world. Christian Aid is calling on the UK government to reduce Britain's carbon emissions by three per cent each year by setting a 'carbon budget' alongside its financial budget. The agency is also challenging people in Britain to take action to curb their own emissions by saving energy and switching to renewables.

3.Christian Aid is a member of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition and supports its aim to build a massive movement that will create an irresistible public mandate for political action to stop human-induced climate change.

4.Christian Aid's Present Aid gift scheme. When you buy one of the items in the Present Aid catalogue the money doesn't necessarily buy that item. In order to make sure your gift has the maximum impact, our partners and Christian Aid choose the gifts most needed by poor communities across the world. But we guarantee your financial gift will be put straight into one of the following closely related funds: energy, emergencies and disaster preparedness, agriculture and livestock, health including HIV, water and environment, education, training and campaigning on behalf and throughout the developing world.

5.Grand Designs Live is based on the talkbackTHAMES series for Channel 4, which is presented by design guru Kevin McCloud. The event, which has evolved into a spectacularly vibrant show and changed the face of the interiors exhibition industry forever, aims to inform, excite and inspire visitors to create their own 'grand design' – with everything they need from around the world available to purchase under one roof.

6.GRAND DESIGNS LIVE – whether you're buying a cushion or building a home, it's a Grand Design! Grand Designs Live is made up of five sections: GRANDBuild, GRANDGardens, GRANDInteriors, GRANDKitchens+Bathrooms and DESIGN Shopping Arcade – catering for a broad spectrum of visitor requirements.

Where: Hall 5, National Exhibition Centre (NEC) Birmingham.

When: Friday 6 October 2006 – 10am-7pm; Saturday 7 October 2006 –
10am-7pm; Sunday 8 October 2006 – 10am-6pm For further information visit www.granddesignslive.com Donate to Christian Aid's Middle East crisis appeal:

http://www.christianaid.org.uk/middle_east Thousands of people are suffering and years of development work is at risk of being undone in the latest humanitarian crisis to hit the Middle East.

Donate online to our Middle East crisis appeal.

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