Name: Why climate change is a threat to human rights
Uploaded: 2015-09-23T14:37:47Z
Duration: 21 min 32 s
Description: Climate change is unfair. While rich countries can fight against rising oceans and dying farm fields, poor people around the world are already having their lives upended -- and their human rights threatened -- by killer storms, starvation and the loss of their own lands. Mary Robinson asks us to join the movement for worldwide climate justice.

Malawi Floods Devastation Far Worse than First Thought

Climate change is unfair. While rich countries can fight against rising oceans and dying farm fields, poor people around the world are already having their lives upended -- and their human rights threatened -- by killer storms, starvation and the loss of their own lands. Mary Robinson asks us to join the movement for worldwide climate justice.

Why climate change is a threat to human rights

Chair of The Elders and former president of Ireland

Climate change is not just an environmental crisis but a profound injustice, hitting the world’s poorest and most vulnerable first and hardest. In Malawi, unprecedented floods killed hundreds while most citizens emit just 80 kg of CO2 a year, compared to 17.5 metric tons for the average American. Achieving climate justice demands urgent global action, solidarity, and a shift to renewable energy so that no one is left behind. The future depends on bold choices and shared responsibility to protect both people and the planet.