April 21, 2022
News
Climate change is now the biggest challenge that we, as humanity, are facing. The last climate report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change clearly shows that we need to take actions quickly. At Caritas Czech Republic, as a humanitarian organisation, we care deeply and do our best to minimise our impact on the environment and improve our actions.
Climate change is getting worse
We have already seen the impact of climate change on our lives. However, Western countries are far from being the areas and communities most affected by these changes. Climate change, as a consequence of human impact on the environment, much often affects poorer communities living in more fragile and sensitive areas. They are affected by environmental degradation and thus natural disasters, that have catastrophic consequences on people’s livelihoods. People become refugees because their homes are destroyed by floods or storms, their land becomes uncultivable, so farmers have to develop efficient farming methods to be resilient. Climate change forces people in poorer areas to flee to survive and provide a decent life for their family.
What we do to protect the environment
As a humanitarian organisation, we at Caritas Czech Republic are well aware of the impact of our work and optimise our actions to minimise the potential unintended negative consequence that our work could have on the local environment. That is why we must act now and lead conscious humanitarian work.
Our country offices are our the first point of impact where we can act and fight against climate change. Zambian farmers are now equipped with a simple mobile app that provides them with data concerning the weather and offers valuable information for their crops. The farmers are now more efficient in their work and more resilient to climate change.
Mongolia has faced issues with waste management that affect drinking water and pollute the ecosystem. Caritas Czech Republic is encouraging people to sort their waste and not dump it into nature. Our colleagues in Mongolia are enhancing the circular economy through different activities. The Moldovan and Georgian offices are also involved in promoting sustainable waste management through actions.
New expectations, new common goals
Our donors are also aware that the need for action is growing extremely quickly and are therefore increasing their expectations and requirements in our projects for greener aid and development. They advocate for greater environmental responsibility and promote green initiatives and sustainable procurement.
This year’s Earth Day theme is “Invest in our Planet“, a theme that makes full sense now. Together, in the Caritas Czech Republic team, we are strongly determined to increasing our efforts in order to always improve our sustainability towards a green future for everyone and our planet.
Interested in more articles like this? Read more:
- How is Caritas reducing its environmental footprint
- Climate affects us all. Some countries more than others
- Teaching the new generation in Mongolia about recycling
