ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change on our planet is a reality of today that affects our lives. It is dangerous for the population, especially its vulnerable groups, because it leads to more frequent, intense and unpredictable extreme weather events: floods, droughts or extreme heat. According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, every 1-2 days in the world there is one catastrophe caused by weather and climate events, which in 2018 led to the need of rescuing of about 108 million people. This figure could double by 2050.
Since 2007, adaptation to climate change has become one of the activities of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, part of which is the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. The International Movement is developing the following priorities in the field of adaptation to climate change:
- disaster risk reduction, forecasting, early warning, early response, and preparedness;
- reducing the degree of vulnerability of the population and its vulnerability to climate change, active cooperation with communities;
- reducing the impact of climate change on public health, integrating climate risk management into health programs;
- restoration and repair of damaged housing and property, taking into account the possibility of emergencies in the future;
- ensuring livelihoods and providing services taking into account resilience to climate change;
- assisting national societies in developing plans to prepare for and respond to climate change, as well as implementing measures to adapt and reduce risks in the long run.
URCS is developing the direction of adaptation to climate change since 2020. Now this direction is reflected in the Strategy for the development of URCS for 2021-2025 and has the following strategic goals:
- Implementing climate change mapping, risk analysis and best practices for disaster prevention, early warning, emergency preparedness and response, recovery to address and reduce the effects of climate change, and to maintain long-term community sustainability.
- Strengthening and expanding partnerships with various international, national and local stakeholders on the urgency of climate change and conducts policy dialogues in this area in order to increase its impact and effectiveness.
- Raising public awareness of current and future climate risks by disseminating knowledge, conducting community training and increasing communication campaigns on climate change.
- Aiming to reduce CO2 emissions by minimizing its carbon footprint and contributes to limiting the long-term effects of climate change from its activities on vulnerable populations and the environment.
Our volunteers and staff:
- organize cleaning of parks, rivers and lakes;
- trees are planted;
- sew and distribute eco-bags;
- participate in campaigns of partner organizations;
- arrange information campaigns, etc.
Climate change is a problem that affects us all. And everyone can change something in their lives to make our planet – and we with it – healthier. Let’s take care of nature together!