Climate change is a major threat to everyone, but it will be the world’s poorest people who are hardest hit.

• Hurricanes and floods are likely to become ever more devastating.
• Higher temperatures will cause killer diseases like malaria to spread.
• Crops will fail as rainy seasons become shorter and fertile land turns into desert.
• Rivalry for land, minerals and water is likely to lead to wars.

A reliable climate and resources like forests and water play a key role in reducing poverty. Poor people depend on them for food, shelter, energy and medicines. About two in three people in Africa rely on farming, which makes them very vulnerable to disasters like flooding, landslides and drought.

Ultimately, climate change will make fighting poverty more difficult. But failing to tackle it will destroy poor people’s lives, as well as their livelihoods.

Taking action

Tackling climate change will need action on two fronts: prevention and preparation.

• Britain is working with other governments to evolve climate-friendly technologies such as wind and wave power. For 20 years India has been switching to solar energy for street and domestic lighting. It is now a world leader in using renewable energy sources including wind and plant materials.
• We are giving £75 million to help countries adapt for the future.
• And we are the key backer of a scientific project that will help African governments prepare for the impacts of climate change.

The UK is spending more money than ever to lift people out of the poverty that makes them more vulnerable to climate change.

• Learn more about how we're tackling climate change in developing countries.
• To find out how you can help, visit the Act on CO2 website.