Stop Harming, Start Helping

Climate change was first seen as a scientific problem, then an economic one. Now we must also see it as a matter of international justice. Oxfam is arguing that excessive carbon emissions are violating the rights of millions of the world's poorest women and men to life, security, food, health and shelter.

As the world's leaders gather together in Poland in December 2008, and again next December in Copenhagen to negotiate action-plans on climate change, human rights principles must be put at the heart of climate change policy and action. Decision-makers must ensure a fair global deal is negotiated.

Today, millions of women and men, girls and boys are dealing with the consequences of climate change, and unfairly so. Poor communities around the world are the least responsible for emissions. But they are suffering the greatest effects increased droughts, floods, disease and hunger. The extra burdens caused by this generally fall on women to manage.

In the past there was enough rain...but now things are different. The rains have disappeared. The drinking water that we used to fetch from the riverbeds can no longer be found. There is a lot of thirst; even the few livestock we own have so little water. What can I do to address this thirst?
I get so anxious. There aren't enough words to express the pain.'

Martina Longom, a farmer and mother in Kotido district, Uganda

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) turns 60 on December 10 2008. On Human Rights Day 2007, the United Nations Secretary General launched a year-long campaign to mark this important milestone. The initiative celebrates the Declaration and the promise that is enshrined in it:'Dignity and justice for all of us.

The campaign aims to increase knowledge and awareness of all human rights. The UDHR was written in response to the abuses of World War Two, especially the holocaust, and people's experience of living under totalitarian governments. These appalling events created an international desire to place a limit on what the state could do to people, by recognizing and protecting every human being's fundamental claims to life's essential needs.

The 30 articles of the UDHR have subsequently been elaborated in international treaties and ratified by governments, thus becoming international human rights law.

International human rights law needs to evolve to reflect the 21^st century reality that climate change creates. Countries with excessive carbon emissions are having huge international impacts on the lives of people around the world, and so likewise must have international responsibility for the human rights consequences of their actions.

The frequency of the flooding is worse compared to ten years ago. Last October we had water up to our knees for four days. We don't know why the weather is changing. We are very worried about losing our home, about losing our crops, about going hungry.'

Ho Si Thuan, a rice farmer in Quang Tri province, Viet Nam

Oxfam calls for the world's leading carbon emitters to stop causing harm by massively reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to start helping poor communities adapt before it is too late.