Climate Change and the Environment

Climate change is having an unprecedented effect on people in developing countries who are already struggling to sustain their livelihoods and maintain food security. Rising sea levels and temperatures, increasing natural disasters and changing rainfall, drought and flood patterns destroy livelihoods and aggravate financial, political, social and environmental inequities.

CARE is helping the most vulnerable people affected by climate change. We are working with women and other marginalized groups to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, and empowering them to participate in building the resilience of their communities.

CARE works in over 80 countries around the world to promote innovative solutions to overcoming poverty. We tackle climate change by working directly with communities on specific adaptation strategies as well as integrating climate change adaptation into other areas of work in climate-sensitive regions.

Our approach includes four key strategies:

• Promoting climate-resistant livelihoods and helping individuals and communities to diversify their sources of income
• Reducing the risk of climate-induced disaster and its impact, particularly on vulnerable households and individuals
• Strengthening local civil society and government institutions so they can more effectively support communities, households and individuals in adapting to climate change
• Using advocacy and social mobilization to address the underlying causes of vulnerability, including poor governance, lack of control of resources, limited access to basic services, discrimination and other social injustices

Climate change and gender equality

Existing gender inequalities often result in women being denied access to new information about climate change and participating in important decision-making processes, despite having unique skills and vital knowledge to contribute. For these reasons, and because women are central to the food and livelihood security of their families, CARE places special emphasis on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

CARE’s overarching goal is to reduce poverty and build social justice. We believe that effective adaptation requires an integrative approach that combines traditional knowledge with innovative strategies.  Adaptation is critical to protecting the many millions of poor and marginalized people who are at risk of losing their lives or livelihoods as a result of climate change.

Feature project: Managing the Andean Basins

Situated high in the Andean mountains, the community of Santa Teresa was completely devastated by a landslide in February 1998. The landslide, which was a result of retreating glaciers brought about by climate change, forced the community to temporarily relocate to another area. CARE is working with the community to adapt to their current situation and plan for the future. Learn more about the project