In the wake of the climate crisis comes increased poverty, reduced equality and increased vulnerability for groups that already live in exclusion. Countering this and building resilience are important parts of IM’s operations.
IM’s mission is to fight poverty and exclusion for those who live in the greatest vulnerability in the world, and therefore it is natural that we work to counteract the consequences of the climate crisis in low- and middle-income countries. We are talking about “climate justice” – meaning that rich countries, in addition to reducing their own emissions and negative environmental impact, must contribute resources for transition and climate adaptation in the areas that are hit hardest.
The climate crisis affects the groups that are already most vulnerable – women, children, minority groups and people with disabilities. For example, as water recedes and wells dry up, women have to walk even further each day to fetch what little water they can find – which in turn has a negative impact on their time and ability to participate in community activities, such as education and associational life. They block inequality and inequality. When families’ incomes decrease, it is first and foremost girls who are taken out of school because there is no money for school fees or school materials, which in turn increases the risk of child marriages and early pregnancies.