World Vision's commitment to assist those living in poverty means we must address climate change and the poverty it causes. From lobbying governments on climate change policy to helping those whose lands have been ravaged by environmental extremes: much of World Vision's work is addressing this crucial issue.

Climate change isn't a future threat, it's happening now. Extreme weather and an increase in natural disasters are jeopardising the ability of poor communities to grow crops, access water, and house and feed themselves. Nearly every facet of World Vision’s work is being affected by this issue.

In countries all over the world, people living in poverty are already suffering from climate change effects. It is the poor who tend to live in the most vulnerable areas, such as low-lying land prone to flooding, or marginal agricultural land prone to drought. People living in poverty are the most vulnerable to the spread of tropical diseases. They are more likely to have to leave their homes in search of water or to escape flooding. They are most vulnerable to the effects of the conflicts likely to arise from international tensions over water, energy and displaced people.

The poor are the least able to protect themselves and the most likely to suffer from climatic disasters.

Climate change is not simply an environmental problem, but fundamentally a development problem. There is widespread agreement that climate change has been caused by the past development of today’s rich countries. Unless greenhouse gas emissions are cut drastically - mostly in the developed world, but also in those countries in the process of growth and development - the effects of climate change and therefore climate-related poverty will be exacerbated.

Climate change will without question challenge almost every aspect of World Vision’s work and mission in the years to come. As one of the world’s leading non-governmental humanitarian and development organisations, World Vision recognises that to serve the disadvantaged faithfully, we must take this challenge seriously.

The effects of climate change are being noticed all over the world. But for poor countries and communities, climate change is a reality they don’t have the resources to fight.

Though there is some dispute about the cause of climate change, there is now widespread agreement that the production of greenhouse gases by the industrialised processes of developed countries has been a major contributing factor.

However, many developed countries have succeeded in creating enormous wealth, a wealth that can be used to mitigate some of the effects of climate change. For example, when droughts or floods damage crops in one part of Australia, many people will be able to afford - at least for a short time - to pay extra for crops to be shipped in from elsewhere.

For the poorest of the poor, this option simply may not exist.

Poor countries, in many cases, have been lesser contributors to the causes of climate change. Yet for them, the effects of climate change are far more devastating. World Vision is working with communities across the world - in parts of Asia, Africa and South America - who are without the resources to replace or recover their crops and homes when beset by abnormal weather events.

Climate change has the very real potential to create mass homelessness, starvation and disease. So, we are working hard to ensure this does not become the new global reality.

As the climate changes, traditional community activities such as agriculture are threatened, leading to displacement and poverty. World Vision understands that by identifying the main causes of this phenomenon, we can work to reduce its impacts.

The causes of climate change are increasingly understood to stem from the developed and developing world's overuse of fossil fuels. The warming of the planet - though it may seem like minor temperature increases - has major effects on climate. Warmer, wetter weather, more severe droughts, more destructive storms and rising sea levels create widespread disruption for people who survive on the land.

This disruption often results in ripples that spread far beyond the site of the initial changes. Displacement, overcrowding, regional disputes and violence, reduced access to fertile land and spreading food insecurity - these are consequences of climate change we can already recognise.

World Vision is committed to lobbying governments to take urgent and wide-reaching action on reducing carbon emissions. At the same time, we are dedicating significant resources to alleviating the worst impacts of climate change in many communities that have already felt its devastating effects.

We all know by now that climate change is a global phenomenon, with impacts felt around the world. What's less known is that some of the world's poorest communities are the ones who face the brunt of climate change. Many of those living in harsh conditions are without the resources to cope with further stress on their environment.

As the climate changes, communities that rely on primary agriculture production for survival face increasing hardships. Many areas that were once drought prone are now in perpetual drought. Storms are more severe - often wiping out annual crops. Access to fresh water is severely compromised.

The dramatic consequences of climate change are resulting in entire populations being forced to move. They move in search of other fertile, arable land or in some cases, alternative means of income generation. This can lead to overcrowding - especially in urban areas, conflict and further food and water insecurity.

World Vision has many programs in operation around the world that assist local communities to deal with the impacts of climate change. From efforts to revegetate to the creation of new, sustainable industries and practices, World Vision is addressing climate change on the ground. Your help means this work can continue; this is vital as the impacts of climate change become more severe and affect more people.