In October 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a report describing the global landscape in 2040. The authors predicted severe food shortages, devastating wildfires and the dying off of coral reefs en masse. The report warns that, by 2040, global temperatures are expected to rise 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, meaning that most people alive today will see the dramatic effects of climate change within their lifetime. Many of the world’s most vulnerable populations are already experiencing the effects of climate change, from natural disasters like mudslides or desertification, to food insecurity and migration.
What if we could help the most vulnerable mitigate the risks associated with climate change and prepare now for disaster by becoming resilience and responsive? What if we could reduce vulnerabilities by supporting self-sufficiency, renewable energy and sustainable development?
At ACTED, we know that natural disasters will happen and that the effects of climate change are already being felt by vulnerable populations worldwide. These effects not only reinforce poverty, but also hamper development. That is why we are acting today and investing in tomorrow through programming that seeks to reduce the economic and social vulnerabilities that leave populations vulnerable to the shocks of climate change. ACTED works with at-risk communities to prevent the negative impacts of climate change, mitigate the effects of natural disasters and increase resilience through adaptation and coping mechanisms.
ACTED’S CLIMATE RESILIENCE STRATEGY
Building resilience: Supporting populations before, during and after disasters
Climate change has caused natural disasters to increase in frequency and intensity, a humanitarian response requires intervention at different levels. In our countries of operation, ACTED supports communities in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster by providing basic services and recovery activities to enable affected populations to rebuild their lives and return to normalcy. However, intervening ahead of disaster is key in mitigating their impact. We work with communities to increase preparation to cope with disasters and with local leaders and first responders on disaster risk management, giving them the tools and training they need to prepare for shocks and build resilience.
Climate resilience is the capacity of an individual, household, population group or system to absorb, adapt and transform from shocks and stresses without compromising long-term prospects. Resilience efforts serve to mitigate structural destruction and prevent unnecessary loss of life. We reinforce resilience by reducing vulnerabilities in communities through access to information, healthcare, income, education and more. We improve the capacity of crisis-affected communities to respond to ecosystem-based disasters by developing early warning systems and coordinating communication between first responders and authorities.
Climate smart agriculture
Over 70% of the world’s poor live in rural areas where hunger and malnutrition are persistent threats. Shocks related to climate change —like drought, floods or mudslides—increase the pressure on farmers to produce enough to sustain their families and communities. Climate-smart agriculture is a sustainable approach to agricultural development. It allows food systems to adapt to climate change while still meeting the food security and productivity needs of the community. ACTED works with local communities to train farmers, plant permagardens and develop localized techniques to build resilience into the food system.
ACTED 2018
Seedlings from ACTED Uganda's permagraden
Renewable energy
As part of our commitment to zero carbon emissions, ACTED invests in clean, sustainable energy. In particular, ACTED is engaged in the provision of solar energy systems to vulnerable communities from Syria to Somalia. In addition to addressing the energy needs of these communities in a sustainable way, our solarization programs serve to reduce socio-economic inequality. ACTED trains locals in solar panel installation and maintenance, empowering trainees to find gainful employment while supporting their own communities.
ZERO
Exclusion
We are the last generation that can truly have a positive impact on the issues of exclusion, climate change and poverty. This is both a heavy responsibility to bear and a challenge to meet. In line with this universal agenda, actors from all sectors and countries have to gather around the common ambition of a “Zero exclusion, Zero carbon, Zero poverty” world.
ZERO
Carbon
This “Triple Zero” vision pushes us to address the poverty challenge that most of the world’s population still faces, through an inclusive, and low carbon growth, limited in the use of natural resources and rich in personal and collective development. It is about ensuring that people have the means and the potential to withstand shocks by getting out of poverty and taking advantage of inclusive growth and development schemes.
ZERO
Poverty
We call upon civil society, public and private actors but also academics, media, etc. to work on tackling these issues in an inclusive, cross-sectoral and creative manner and to join the 3Zero Global Alliance for a “Zero exclusion, Zero carbon, Zero poverty” world.
INVESTING IN TOMORROW
Disaster risk management in Central Asia
Natural disasters know no borders. Numerous border checkpoints cannot stop the calamitous mudflows and landslides facing the border region between Northern Tajikistan and Southern Kyrgyzstan: When disasters occur, local populations must act as first responders. Through a transboundary project on disaster risk reduction funded by the European Commission, ACTED has been working with communities on both sides of the border to reinforce their capacity to prevent disaster, reduce the impact of disasters and recover from losses. Rescuers receive practical training on how to better protect disaster-prone populations and provide timely relief assistance after disasters. ACTED also provides search and rescue devices to allow first responders to conduct efficient emergency operations in the aftermath of natural disasters such as landslides, mudflows or floods.
Disaster risk reduction is an integral part of ACTED’s programmatic strategy. It is about implementing programs before, during and after a disaster in order to reduce the impact and losses incurred by the disaster. Prevention and mitigation activities reduce the vulnerability of populations to natural hazards by investing in simple measures to reduce the underlying risk factors. The direct involvement of populations in reconstruction and rehabilitation is a guarantee of sustainable disaster risk reduction.
Climate smart agriculture in South Sudan
Decades of conflict have displaced thousands of people in South Sudan and reduced their capacity to cope with the prolonged dry spells and unpredictable rainfall patterns that impact the country, leaving 4.8 million people facing food shortages. ACTED teams are mobilised to tackle food insecurityby building the resilience of flood and drought-prone communities in South Sudan. Together with partners in the BRACED consortium, ACTED is building the capacity and skills of agro-pastoralist communities to implement climate-smart practices. ACTED works to teach communities how to diversify their livelihoods and anticipate, absorb and adapt to shocks and stresses. The ultimate purpose of these activities is to enable communities to identify hazards, mitigate risks and establish disaster information sharing to improve their own coping strategies.
Solarization in Syria
ACTED is expanding its efforts in the area of sustainable drinking water supply through solarization in conflict-affected Syria. While all eyes are turned to the emergency response, ACTED is investing in a better future through the development of cleaner, more self-sufficient and more sustainable energy sources for recovering communities.
Solarizing WASH infrastructure in conflict-affected areas is not a simple task, but by liaising with water authorities and deploying technical expertise in the field, ACTED engineers have designed an efficient and appropriate system for pumping water. In order to guarantee the sustainability of the intervention, local water authorities have been trained on maintaining solarized boreholes. ACTED will continue rehabilitating and solarizing water supply infrastructure to improve its potential as a key water provider and to reach even more communities in need of drinking water.
While there have always been natural disasters, the increased frequency and severity of recent hurricanes, droughts, tsunamis and mudslides are cause for alarm. Couples with increased vulnerability of affected populations, the global community has an urgent need to increase capacity to respond to shocks.
Find out more about ACTED’s work to combat the effects of climate change here
As an environmental expert deeply immersed in climate change issues, I've dedicated my career to understanding, analyzing, and addressing the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations. My expertise is not merely theoretical; it is grounded in practical, hands-on experience and a comprehensive understanding of the scientific, social, and economic dimensions of climate change.
I have closely followed reports and assessments from reputable organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), staying abreast of their findings and predictions. The October 2018 report from the IPCC, which you mentioned, indeed serves as a critical reference point in understanding the alarming trajectory of climate change. The forecasted scenarios, including severe food shortages, devastating wildfires, and the mass die-off of coral reefs, align with the broader consensus within the scientific community.
The IPCC's projection of a 1.5-degree Celsius temperature increase by 2040 above pre-industrial levels is a significant alarm bell. This aligns with my understanding of the urgency we face in mitigating climate change impacts. The intersectionality of climate change with issues like food insecurity, migration, and natural disasters, especially affecting vulnerable populations, is an area where my expertise lies.
Now, diving into the content of the article, it discusses the efforts of ACTED (Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development) to address the challenges posed by climate change. The organization recognizes the inevitability of natural disasters and the tangible impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations globally. Their approach involves proactive measures aimed at reducing economic and social vulnerabilities, thereby enhancing resilience in the face of climate-related shocks.
Key Concepts in the Article:
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Climate Resilience Strategy: ACTED's approach involves building resilience by supporting populations before, during, and after disasters. This includes immediate response activities after natural disasters and proactive measures to increase community preparation and resilience.
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Climate Smart Agriculture: Recognizing that a significant portion of the global poor resides in rural areas, ACTED engages in climate-smart agriculture. This sustainable approach adapts food systems to climate change while ensuring food security and productivity. Techniques such as permaculture and localized strategies are employed to build resilience into the food system.
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Renewable Energy: ACTED is committed to zero carbon emissions and invests in clean, sustainable energy. This includes providing solar energy systems to vulnerable communities, addressing both energy needs and socio-economic inequality. The organization trains locals in solar panel installation and maintenance to empower communities and promote sustainability.
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Zero Exclusion, Zero Carbon, Zero Poverty Vision: ACTED aligns with a universal agenda calling for a world with zero exclusion, zero carbon emissions, and zero poverty. This vision emphasizes inclusive, low-carbon growth and development schemes to address climate change, poverty, and exclusion collectively.
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Disaster Risk Management: ACTED's disaster risk management programs operate before, during, and after disasters, aiming to reduce the impact and losses incurred. Prevention and mitigation activities involve simple measures to reduce underlying risk factors, and the direct involvement of communities ensures sustainable disaster risk reduction.
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Specific Initiatives: The article highlights specific initiatives in Central Asia, South Sudan, and Syria, where ACTED is actively engaged in disaster risk reduction, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable energy projects.
By synthesizing my extensive knowledge with the information presented in the article, it's clear that ACTED's initiatives align with best practices in climate change adaptation and mitigation, focusing on building resilience and sustainability in the face of an increasingly unpredictable climate.
