wfn.org | CWS promotes funding to help poor nations adapt to climate change

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

CWS promotes funding to help poor nations adapt to climate change

November 26, 2008--In preparation for the Follow-up International
Conference on Financing for Development to Review the Implementation of
the Monterrey Consensus, scheduled for Nov. 29 - Dec. 2 in Doha, Qatar,
Church World Service is working with partners to mobilize public
advocacy in support of proposals calling for timely and sufficient
foreign assistance to help developing nations adapt to the consequences
of climate change.

The effort is part of the Church World Serviceâ??s (CWS) â??Enou gh for
Allâ?? campaign.
(http://www.churchworldservice.org/site/PageServer?pagename=action_what_pa rtnership_examples_enough)

Climate change affects millions of people worldwide-especially the
poor.

CWS Director of Education and Advocacy Rajyashri Waghray, who has led
the agencyâ??s work on financing for development since the year 2000
meetings around the issue in Monterrey, Mexico, points out that many
vulnerable economies will be â??hardest hitâ?? by the adverse  effects of
climate change.

â??Given the miniscule contribution of green house gas by vulnerable
countries, equity calls the international community to contribute funds
to help these vulnerable nations adapt to climate change,â?? Waghray
says.

CWS, which works in partnership with the NGO Committee on Financing for
Development, a group that includes more than 60 NGOs committed to the
goals of financial reform, is collaborating with Medical Mission
Sisters, Economic Justice Network in Southern Africa, and other
committee members on a set of proposals to be presented at the Doha
gathering.

The proposals include the following statements:

â??	We call for a holistic approach to development, one that does
not endanger human lives and the environment, and prioritizes long-term
ecological sustainability and the stability of the climate.

â??	We call for the establishment of various funds: an adaptation
fund, a mitigation fund, a technology fund and a risk insurance fund.
There needs to be transparency, with an equitable and balance
representation of all Parties.

â??	We call for all industrialized nations and corporations to
immediately find ways to transfer funds to help developing countries in
measures both for adaptation and mitigation.  The problem calls for
scaling-up of additional sources of finance for vulnerable nations,
including an increased emphasis on building the capacity of developed
nations to address this issue by themselves.

Join the CWS Speak Out Network to encourage Congress to provide
adequate â??adaptationâ?? funding to assist low-income countries  to
address the impact of climate change at
www.churchworldservice.org/speakout.

Media Contacts

Lesley Crosson, (212) 870-2676, lcrosson@churchworldservice.org
Jan Dragin - 24/7 - (781) 925-1526, jdragin@gis.net