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    Fact Sheet One: Climate change andhistorical emissions

    While the earth has always endured naturalclimate change variability, we are now facingthe possibility of irreversible climate change in

    the near future1. The increase of greenhousegases in the earths atmosphere fromindustrial processes has enhanced the natural

    greenhouse effect. This in turn hasaccentuated the greenhouse trap effect,causing greenhouse gases to form a blanketaround the earth, inhibiting the suns heatfrom leaving the outer atmosphere. Thisincrease of greenhouse gases is causing anadditional warming of the Earths surface andatmosphere. A direct consequence of this issea-level rise expansion, which is primarilydue to the thermal expansion of oceans(water expands when heated), inducing themelting of ice sheets as global surface

    temperature increases.

    Forecasts for climate change by the 2,000scientists on the United NationsIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) project a rise in the global averagesurface temperature by 1.4 to 5.8C from

    1990 to 2100. This will result in a global meansea level rise by an average of 5mm per yearover the next 100 years. Consequently,human-induced climate change will have

    deleterious effects on ecosystems, socio-economic systems and human welfare2.

    Historical Emissions

    Historical measures of greenhouse gasemissions clearly identify industrialisedcountries as being the most significant

    contributors of human induced climatechange. Over the past 150 years, industrial

    economies have perpetuated a rise in

    greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbondioxide (CO2), which has resulted fromenergy generation, minerals extractionandprocessing, industrial agriculture andmotorised transport. Whilst the USA wasresponsible for 29% of the worlds

    greenhouse gas emissions between 1850 and2000, Australia remains the greatest percapita emitter of greenhouse gases in the

    industrialised world. In the year 2000,Australias domestic emissions averaged at

    6.7 tonnes of CO2 equivalents per person3.In contrast to these figures, to stabiliseclimate change it is estimated that everyperson would be entitled to 1.4 tonnes of CO2per year. This is significantly less than whatAustralians produce now.

    How do we measure the severity ofclimate change?In 2004, the European Climate Forum (ECF)held a Symposium to examine the risksassociated with climate change, outliningthree concepts of danger4. First,determinative dangers were identified withvery serious levels of climate change andwere noted as inevitable if early interventionwas not taken. Indicators of determinativedangers include the extinction of iconic

    species, loss of ecosystems, loss of humancultures and large numbers of climaterefugees.

    Second, early warning dangers wereacknowledged, whereby dangers are likely tobecome more severe with increased warming.Early warning dangers include increaseddrought frequency and artic sea ice retreat.The final danger identified referred toregional dangers. These concern threats tofood security, water resources, infrastructure,and ecosystems.

    1 Climate Change Secretariat Bonn, 2002,A Guide to the Climate Change Convention and its Kyoto Protocol.2 United Nations. 1992, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.3 Baumert, K. and J. Pershing, 2004, Climate Data: Insights and Observations. Pew Centre on Global Climate Change4 European Climate Forum.What is Dangerous Climate Change?Initial Results of a Symposium on Key Vulnerable RegionsClimate Change and Article 2 of the UNFCCC. December 14, 2004.

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    Global efforts to address climatechange: United Nations FrameworkConvention on Climate Change

    (UNFCCC)

    To address critical issues surroundingclimate change, the United Nationsorganised the Earth Summit in Rio deJaneiro in 1992, formally known as the

    Conference on Environment andDevelopment (UNECD)5. Outcomes fromUNECD included the creation of the UnitedNations Framework Convention on ClimateChange (UNFCCC), which was endorsed byworld governments on May 9, 19926. TheUNFCCC is a non-binding agreement aimedat reducing the consequences of climatechange, and entered into force on March

    21, 1994, following ratification by 50parties. Australia ratified on December 30,19927.

    UNFCCC responsibilitiesThe UNFCCCs primary objective is toachieve the stabilization of greenhousegas concentrations in the atmosphere at a

    level that wouldprevent dangerousanthropogenic interference with theclimate systemwithin a time-frame that is

    sufficient to allow ecosystems to adaptnaturally to climate change, to ensure thatfood production is not threatened and to

    enable economic development to proceedin a sustainable manner8 (emphasisadded).

    The UNFCCC requires parties to be guidedby five primary principles when acting toimplement the Convention. Theseinclude: developed countries taking thelead in the struggle against climatechange; full consideration granted to the

    special needs of developing countries;precautionary measures taken to avert orminimize climate change causes and ease its

    impacts; policies developed in line with eachcountrys specific needs; and cooperation topromote an open international economic

    system. (See UNFCCC website for fulldocument: http://unfccc.int/2860.php)

    Setting targets for reducing greenhousegas emissionsKyoto Protocol

    A number of conferences have been held byparties to the convention to negotiate targetsand timetables for the reduction ofgreenhouse gas emissions. The thirdConference of the Parties (COP3) was held in1997 at Kyoto, Japan. A key outcome fromCOP3 saw the formation of an implementationplan known as the Kyoto Protocol onDecember 11, 1997. The conditions of Kyotorequire Annex 1 Parties (developed nationswith economies in transition) to accept legallybinding targets for the reduction ofgreenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, theagreement is binding over the firstcommitment period, from 2008-2012.Emission targets for Kyoto were set atapproximately 95% of the 1990 emissions ofthe individual nations involved.However,Australia, Norway and Iceland negotiated anincreased target. Successful lobbying at theconference saw Australias target increased to

    108% of 1990 levels.Specifically, Australianrepresentatives argued that the countries highpopulation growth and dependency on carbonintensive technologies would lead tosignificant economic costs if a decrease inemissions was pursued. Whilst policies tomeet emission targets are the responsibility ofindividual nations, those that fail to do so willbeforced to further reduce their emissions inthe following period (after 2012)9.

    5 Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, 2004, Kyoto Protocol RatificationBill 2003 (No. 2). Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia.6 Climate Change Secretariat Bonn, 2002,A Guide to the Climate Change Convention and its Kyoto Protocol.7 Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, 2004.8 United Nations, 1992, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.9 Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, 2004.

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    Fact Sheet Two: What causes peopleto become Climate Refugees?

    It is now widely accepted in the scientificcommunity that climate change will lead toboth incremental and rapid ecologicalchange and disruption. The impacts ofclimate change, which include increaseddroughts, desertification, and sea levelrise, along with the more frequent

    occurrence of extreme weather events, willlead to an increased number of climaterefugees around the world. In determiningwhich nations are most likely to encounterthe displacement of citizens, a complexassessment of the nations geographicvulnerability to climate change, as well itssocial, economic and political structuresmust be considered.

    According to the Intergovernmental Panelon Climate Change there are regions of the

    world that have already been declared asbeing extremely vulnerable to climatechange. These include: low-lying and smallisland developing states and North Africa.Although climate change is a globalphenomenon that will impact upon criticallife supporting systems such as weatherand hydrology cycles, FoE Australia isregionally concerned with the Pacific,including Micronesia and Polynesia, andhas therefore focused upon the significant

    potential of climate refugees in this region.

    Climate Change, Pacific Islands andSea-Level Rise

    Home to 22 Island states, and with acombined population of approximately 7million people, the Pacific is consideredone of the most culturally diverse regionsof the world. Like many Indigenouspeoples, Pacific Islanders have been livingin this region for over 10,000 years.

    Whilst they contribute the least to globalgreenhouse gas emissions, emitting anestimated 0.06 percent of the worldsemissions, the Intergovernmental Panel onClimate Change (IPCC) has declared themthree times more at risk to climate changethan countries of the global north.

    Food SecurityRising sea levels have meant that kingtides, spring tides and sometimes high tideare increasingly washing through the cropgardens in several of the smaller atolls inboth Melanesia and Polynesia. Salt-waterintrusion reduces the lands productivecapabilities and has already affectedcommunal crop gardens on six of Tuvaluseight islands. In addition, the increasedincidence of coral bleaching from risingocean temperatures is depleting fisheries1.Coral reefs provide an environment forsubsistence fishing across the Pacific,especially coastal fishing and are thereforecritical to the survival of small island states.

    Water SecurityRainwater is the main water source formany small island states including Tuvalu,Kiribati and the Cook Islands. Across mostisland states, water shortages have been

    experienced as rainfall patterns (influencedby interannual variations or ENSO) becomemore variable. Drought in Papua NewGuinea, the Federated States of Micronesia,Marshall Islands, and Fiji are directconsequences of variations in climatic andoceanic conditions. Further contributing towater insecurity, underground reserves offresh water in the Pacific are also showingsigns of vulnerability to climate change.

    1 Rising Waters video www.itvs.org

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    In coral atolls, a thin layer of freshgroundwater sits atop the saltwater lens,and is used as a fresh water reserve.These underground reserves arethreatened by reduced precipitation ratesfrom changes in climate, as well as sea-level rise.

    Increase in Vector and Water Borne

    DiseasesWarmer temperatures lead to increasedincidence of malaria. In the highlands ofPapua New Guinea and Solomon Islands,which previously were too cold formosquitoes to survive, there have beenreports of malaria. In addition, El Niocycles have been linked to cholera, andover recent years there have beenoutbreaks of cholera in the FederatedStates of Micronesia and Marshall Islands2.

    Infrastructure and Land LossesPreviously attributed to unsustainablecoastal development, coastal erosion isnow increasingly exacerbated by stormand wave action. This is of particularconcern to island states where coastalareas constitute a large proportion of theirtotal land area. There have been reportedlosses of sandbanks and shorelines inTuvalu (the motu of Tepuka Savilivili), andin the Carteret Islands since the 1960s.

    Some islands in Fiji have retreated 30m inthe past 70 years3. In Kiribati the motu ofTebua Tarawa, once a landmark forfisherman, is now under water.Also, coastal roads, bridges andplantations are suffering increasingerosion, even on islands that have notexperienced inappropriate coastaldevelopment. More over, increasedoccurrences of climatic extremes such as

    more intense storms and increasedincidence of floods are impacting on housingand community infrastructure includingculturally significant sites. For example, inMajuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands,sea walls have been constructed to try toprotect existing infrastructure and halt theimpact of erosion4.

    Sea Level RiseAccording to the IPCC, sea levels arepredicted to rise worldwide by 0.09 to0.88m between 1990 and 2100. In suchscenarios, Pacific Islanders are 6 to 8 timesmore likely to be affected by coastalflooding than people in Australia and NewZealand. This is not surprising given thatthe Pacific includes the smallest and lowestlying nations in the world. Combined withtheir high population density, this meansthat Pacific peoples are extremely

    vulnerable to sea-level rise. The TuvaluanDeputy Prime Minister and Minister ofFinance and Economic Planning, Mr LagitupuTuilimu, stated in 2001 that scientists havepredicted countries like Tuvalu will be totallysubmerged within around fifty years5.

    Examples of potential impacts of sea levelrise can be noted all around the world. InBangladesh, around half of the countryspopulation lives in areas less that five

    meters above sea-level. Similarly, a onemetre rise in sea-level would affect 67% ofthe Netherlands population. The mega citiesof London, Shanghai, Hamburg, Bangkok,Jakarta, Bombay, Manila, Buenos Aires andVenice are all built on low-lying coastalareas. The city of Manhattan in New York isanother example of an island that is underthreat from sea-level rise.

    2 Climate Change and the Pacific Australian Conservation Foundation, January 2003, Virginia Simpson3 Rising Waters video www.itvs.org4 From Climate Dangers and Atoll Countries Jon Barnett and Neil Adger, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research,October 2001, Working Paper 9.5 Tuilimu, Lagitupu. Government of Tuvalu Statement to Third UN Conference on LDC. May 17, 2001.

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    The Pacific Access Category (cont).These requirements exclude part of theTuvaluan population by stipulating that:

    applicants possess citizenship status forKiribati, Tuvalu, Tonga or Fiji; are agedbetween 18 and 45; have an acceptableoffer of employment in New Zealand; havea minimum level of skills in Englishlanguage; have a minimum income

    requirement if the applicant has adependant; exhibit certain health andcharacter requirements; and have nohistory of unlawful entry into New Zealandsince July 1, 2002.

    In short, this means that the elderly andthe poor those most vulnerable mayhave trouble being accepted as principalapplicants. Furthermore, an acceptableoffer of employment is defined aspermanent, full-time, genuine, and paid

    by a salary or wages. Considering theirlocation and level of access to requiredresources, Tuvaluans may have difficultygaining employment in New Zealandbefore they arrive in the country, thereby

    excluding them from access to theprogram.

    Australias role:In 2000, the Tuvaluan governmentappealed to both Australia and New

    Zealand to take in Tuvaluan residents ifrising sea levels reached the point whereevacuation would be essential7. TheAustralian government refused toimplement a program to grant Tuvaluanenvironmental refugees residency inAustralia. In response to Tuvalus crisis,Immigration Minister Phillip Ruddock

    stated that accepting environmentalrefugees from Tuvalu would bediscriminatory8.

    With regard to Australias response, SeniorTuvalu official, Mr Paani Laupepa expressedthat while New Zealand has helped out theirneighbours, Australia on the other handhas slammed the door in our face9.

    Whilst Tuvaluans stress their need to begranted environmental refugee status in theface of climate change, their primaryrequest from other countries is for climatechange to be taken seriously withresponsible actions being taken wherenecessary. This is particularly highlightedwith Tuvaluan Governor-General Sir Tomasi

    Puapuas contribution to the 57th Session ofthe UN General Assembly in September2002: Taking us as environmental

    refugees, is not what Tuvalu is after in thelong run. We want the islands of Tuvalu andour nation to remain permanently and notbe submerged as a result of greed anduncontrolled consumption of industrialized

    countries. We want our children to grow upthe way we grew up in our own islands andin our own culture10.

    As Tuvaluans have advocated, disastrousconsequences of climate change will only be

    avoided if world leaders accept their globalresponsibility for implementing policies thatwill restrict greenhouse gas emissions.

    7 Tuvalu, Index Mundi. 8Screw you Tuvalu, [media release] The Australian Institute, October 14, 2001.9ibid.10 Puapua, Tomasi. Tuvalu Statement, 57th Session of the UN General Assembly.

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    Fact Sheet Four: Predictions ofclimate refugees to 2050

    At the time of the Tampa crisis, formerUS president Bill Clinton commented "Ifyou're worried about 400 people, you

    just let the world keep warming up likethis for the next 50 years and yourgrandchildren will be worried about400,000 people."

    Of those who are displaced, where willthey go? Do we believe they will staywhere they are and quietly starve? No,they will do what any of us would:move and seek refuge elsewhere.

    According to the InternationalFederation of Red Cross and RedCrescent Societies in their WorldDisasters Report 2001, more people

    are now forced to leave their homesbecause of environmental disastersthan war. Furthermore, there areapproximately 25 million people whocould currently be classified as beingenvironmental refugees. This totals 58per cent of the world's total refugeepopulation. Although, this figure is farfrom concrete as there is no setdefinition of what constitutes anenvironmental refugee and hence no

    central tally kept through the UN. For

    instance, in China, the governmentestimates that some 30 million people

    are already being displaced by theimpacts of climate change. Someauthorities have set the figure higher,at 72 million.

    Whatever the case, these estimates clearlyindicate that significant numbers of people arealready being displaced by climate change.

    Regardless of fluctuating estimates, it iscertain that the numbers of environmentalrefugees will continue to grow in comingdecades. According to Norman Myers of

    Oxford University, at a conservative estimate,climate change will increase the number ofenvironmental refugees six-fold over the nextfifty years to 150 million. This equates to 1.5percent of the predicted global population in2050 of 10 billion. Importantly, Norman Myersstudied more than 2,000 sources ofinformation to come to this estimate, and hassince increased his figure to 200 million.

    In concluding on his projected scenarios,Myers worked from the assumption that

    nothing would be done to slow globalwarming. He suggests that displacement willoccur through a variety of factors, and will

    occur in the following regions by 20501:

    REGION PEOPLE(millions)

    China 30

    India 30

    Bangladesh 15

    Egypt 14

    Other delta areas and coastal zones 10Island states 1

    Agriculturally dislocated areas 50

    TOTAL 150

    1 Myers, N, 1994, Environmental refugees: a crisis in the making. In People & the Planet, Vol.3, No.4, 1994.

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    Myers is seen as a key source regarding climateinduced displacement, and other researchers are

    increasingly agreeing with his figures, with somesuggesting even larger numbers. Such examples ofclimate refugee projections include:

    Australian climate scientist Dr Graeme Pearmanpredicts that a 2C rise in temperature would

    place 100 million people 'directly at risk fromcoastal flooding' by 2100;1

    Richard Nicholls of Flood Hazard ResearchCentre, Middlesex University, suggested in2004 that between 50 and 200 million peoplecould be displaced by climate change by 2080;2

    The International Organisation for Migrationestimated that eventually one billion people

    could be 'environmentally displaced from theiroriginal habitat'3.

    The Intergovernmental Panel on ClimateChange (IPCC), the international science bodythat regularly produces assessment reports onclimate change, suggested 150 millionenvironmental refugees would exist by 2050. Inthis projection, the impacts of climate change,including coastal flooding, shoreline erosion and

    agricultural degradation were seen as majorfactors contributing to bulk of environmentalrefugees.

    1 Rehn, 2005.2 Nicholls, R.J., 2004, Coastal flooding and wetland loss in the 21st century: changes under the SRES climate and socio-economic scenarios. Global Environmental Change. 14(1):69-86.3 Lonergan, S and A. Swain, 1999, Environmental Degradation and Population Displacement. Global EnvironmentalChange and Human Security Project, Research Report No. 2, May 1999. Victoria, BC, Canada.

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    Fact Sheet Five: Policy decisions thatneed to be made

    Recognise environmental refugees'By recognising environmental refugees yourecognise the problem. By recognising the

    problem you start on the road to acceptingresponsibility and implementing solutions' Jean Lambert, Greens MEP (Lambert,2002)1.

    As awareness of this issue grows, it is likelythat countries like Australia will have toacknowledge that there are large (andgrowing) numbers of environmental, andspecifically climate refugees. An assessmentof the causes behind the movement of theserefugees will identify that Australia has adisproportionate responsibility for creatingthem, and hence an onus to officiallyrecognise them as a separate category of

    refugee. This suggestion comes from theunderstanding that while we in Australiaonly constitute about 0.03% of the worldspopulation, we produce about 1.4% of theworlds greenhouse gases created by humanpopulations.

    In practical terms, this recognition will meanAustralia must make room for environmentalrefugees, by developing an official programallowing for an annual intake of

    environmental refugees, as well as changing

    policies and practices that contribute to thecreation of more refugees. Given the simple

    human imperative of assisting those in need,this program should be created without anyreduction in current Australian refugeeprograms. Andrew Bartlett of the AustralianDemocrats suggested in 2002 that ifAustralia considered its contribution of 1-2%of global greenhouse gases, Australia wouldsee that it is directly responsible for roughly

    1.2 to 1.4 million displaced people fromclimate change.

    While New Zealand has taken good initiativeto employ the Pacific Access Category(PAC), the program carries some flaws. As

    outlined in fact sheet three, manyTuvaluans are excluded from applying forresidency as a principal applicant under

    the PAC scheme. This clearly highlights thatimmigration policies for environmentalrefugees need to embrace the widercommunity of residents if they are toadequately address the needs of thoseaffected in the current and impendingclimate change crisis.

    Collect information on ecologicallydisplaced peoplePolicy makers need to get a sense of how

    big the problem is, and how big it is likely tobecome. We need to start collating theexisting information on environmental, andespecially climate, refugees. This wouldinclude a re-examination of existing climatechange research at the global, regional andnational levels with the intention of looking

    at existing data through the 'lens' ofdisplacement.

    Educate Australians aboutenvironmental refugees

    There has been considerable nationaldebate around asylum seekers over recentyears, and it has taken the concerted effortsof refugee advocates to raise levels ofawareness of refugee issues. Despiterecent positive changes in communitysentiment, the creation of an environmentalrefugee program may raise potential fearsor concerns in the broader community.Therefore, it would be necessary for the

    1 Lonergan, S and A. Swain, 1999, Environmental Degradation and Population Displacement. Global

    Environmental Change and Human Security Project, Research Report No 2, May 1999. Victoria, BC, Canada.

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    federal government to embark on a highprofile educational program that aims toeducate the Australian people about

    environmental refugees, why they need tomove, and what our responsibilities tothem are.

    Increase and modify foreign aid toaccount for changed conditions

    As part of a strategic response, Australiashould also consider the levels of foreignaid it provides (currently at a historic lowunder the Howard government), andinvestigate whether there needs to beincreased funding made available forcommunities who are impacted by changedclimate and weather patterns. As a matterof urgency, all donor governments,including Australia, should integrateclimate risk factors into all their OverseasDevelopment Assistance (ODA) program

    planning and evaluation. The ODA amountAustralia contributes is only 0.28% ofGross National Income (GNI) for 2005/06,a minor increase on recent years, and wellbelow the OECD countries' average of

    0.41%. Australias contribution isinadequate compared to the UnitedNations target of 0.7% of GNI, which was

    agreed upon in 1970. Furthermore, itshould be noted the UN target lags behinda number of Western and Northern

    European countries that currently providemore than 1% of their GNI to ODA.Overall, any increase in aid levels shouldoccur with a thorough review ofhowAustralia's aid program currently assistsrecipient communities to adapt to changedconditions under global warming.

    Key Decision Makers and how to contactthemAs Australian citizens we need to push the

    government to be proactive about climaterefugees. Please take some time to contactthese Ministers and Shadow Ministers to let

    them know what you think about climatechange and climate refugees:

    Australian recognition of climaterefugeesMinister for ImmigrationMs Amanda VanstoneSuite MF 40Parliament HouseCanberra ACT [email protected] Minister for ImmigrationMr Tony BurkeHouse of Representatives

    Parliament HouseCanberra ACT [email protected]

    Review of Australias Aid

    Minister for Foreign Affairs and TradeMr Alexander DownerHouse of Representative

    Parliament HouseCanberra, ACT [email protected]

    Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs andInternational SecurityMr Kevin Rudd

    House of RepresentativesParliament HouseCanberra ACT [email protected]

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    Fact Sheet Six: What you can do about climate refugees

    Climate change is the biggest environmental justice issue ever faced, with the poor being themost vulnerable to its effects. There are SEVEN very simple actions you can take to contributeto climate justice:

    Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone is yet to make a statement on environmental or climate

    refugees. Write to her or email to [email protected] and ask her to recognise and accept climaterefugees. Further information can be found at www.foe.org.au/nc/nc_enviro_pop.htm#refugees

    Protest to your state government if they are planning to expand or build new coal fired power stations orcoal mines. We need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions not increase them most of Australiasemissions are due to generating energy from coal and phasing this out should be our greatest priority.See the Climate Action Network website www.cana.net.au and find out how you can get involved.

    Talk with your local MP about mandatory renewable energy targets and binding emissions reductiontargets for Australia. There is great information on the FoE Australia website to help you understandthese issues www.foe.org.au/climate.

    Challenge the estimated $9 billion per year support for the fossil fuel industry in Australia that is financed

    government subsidies and investments from superannuation funds. Where is your superannuationgoing? Tell your super fund you dont want your money going to fossil fuel industry.

    Demand that Australia ratify the Kyoto Protocol and thus take responsibility for our contribution ofgreenhouse gas emissions. There are several petitions and form letters that you can support. See:www.foe.org.au/climate for our Kyoto form letter to Mr Howard andhttp://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/525063229?ltl=1115160430#body ,http://www.zp.lv/info.asp?en for international petitions.

    Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in your household, transport use and recreational activities, BUT dontbe secretive about it! Tell people (family and friends; sales people; work colleagues; your kids schoolteachers, scout/guide leaders, sports coach; your church and social groups) that you are doing thisbecause of the impact of global warming on the environment and people across the world. Some great

    websites on how to reduce your impact are www.myfootprint.org andwww.redefiningprogress.org/footprint/reducing.html

    As more and more people take to the air, air travel is growing is a greenhouse gas source. We shouldlook at alternative travel options: for further information, see:http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/reports/aviation_climate_change.pdfandhttp://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/growth_in_flights_will_wre_31052005.html

    SUPPORT FRIENDS OF THE EARTH BY BECOMING A SUPPORTER, MEMBER OR ACTIVEVOLUNTEER. THE WORLD NEEDS FRIENDS!

    www.foe.org.au

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    Recommended Reading

    Lonergan, S and A. Swain, 1999, Environmental Degradation and Population Displacement.

    Global Environmental Change and Human Security Project, Research Report No. 2, May 1999.Victoria, BC, Canada.

    Myers, N., 1993, Environmental Refugees in a globally warmed world. Bioscience, Vol 43, No.11, December 1993.

    Myers, N., 1994, Environmental refugees: a crisis in the making. In People & the Planet,Vol.3, No.4 1994: http://www.oneworld.org/patp/pp_eco_refugees.html

    Friend of the Earth International, 2001, Gathering storm: the human cost of climate change.http://www.foei.org/publications/climate/Gatheringstorm.pdf

    Red Cross/ Red Crescent Society, 2001, World Disasters Report 2001.http://www.ifrc.org/publicat/wdr2001/

    Conisbee, Molly and Andrew Simms, 2003, Environmental Refugees: The Case forRecognition. New Economics Foundation. http://www.neweconomics.org

    Brown, Lester, 2004, Troubling New Flows of Environmental Refugees. Earth Policy Institutehttp://earth-policy.org/Updates/Update33_printable.htm

    Sexton, Sarah, Nicholas Hildyard and Larry Lohmann, 2005, We're a Small Island: TheGreening of Intolerance. The Corner House.http://www.thecornerhouse.org.uk/item.shtml?x=224321

    Websites

    Friends of the Earth Australia www.foe.org.au/climate and www.foe.org.au/population

    Living Space for Environmental Refugees www.liser.org

    The Corner House www.thecornerhouse.org.uk

    Tuvalu Meteorological Service www.informet.net/tuvmet/searise.html

    National Tide Facility: Tide Predictions for South Pacific Island Countrieswww.bom.gov.au/oceanography/tides/MAPS/pac.shtml

    United Nations www.un.org/smallisalnds2005/coverage/13.html

    United Nations Refugee Convention www.unhcr.ch

    Australian Government: Tuvalu www.dfat.gov.au/geo/tuvalu