Climate change and Ethiopia
Why should I compensate?
Each time we take a flight or drive a car, CO2 is added into the
atmosphere. CO2 is a gas that is released when fossil fuels such
as oil, gas and coal are burnt. It is the main greenhouse gas which
causes climate change. The vast majority of CO2 is produced in industrialised
countries such as the U.K.
It is widely accepted amongst the scientific community that sub-saharan
African countries will be most affected by climate change. According
to findings made by the Stern report
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‘All
countries will be affected by climate change, but the poorest
countries will suffer earliest and most... crop yields
will decline particularly inAfrica’ |
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We can already see how climate change is affecting poor people
in Ethiopia. In 2008 drought and soaring food prices are placing
thousands of Ethiopian families under tremendous strain. The small
rains, which, in normal years, allow farmers to produce a second
crop, failed this year. Millions of children are at risk of malnourishment
and starvation.
The most effective way to reduce the damage we are helping to cause
is to stop our activities that produce CO2. This would require us
to stop flying and driving. For most of us this is either not possible
or we are not prepared to take this step. The only other solution
is to provide compensation for the damage our behaviour is causing.
How much compensation should I make?
Two of the most serious causes of carbon emission are air and car
travel. If you use either of these forms of transport find out how
much compensation you should pay;
Car travel
Plane travel
Who should I compensate?
In the town of Dire Dawa in eastern Ethiopia the effect of climate
change has brought terrible devastation to people who are already
struggling to survive ... read
more
These people have already begun to prepare for future disasters
by setting up a community committee to coordinate activities to
reduce the damage and help prepare people to make themselves less
vulnerable. Your compensation will help this community to adapt
to the shocks and stresses of weather change and improve their chance
of survival. Please follow the link below to find out more.
How
will my compensation help?
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