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A changing climate, a changing world

Climate change poses an unprecedented threat to the world’s biodiversity. Driven by the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other changes in land-use, these gases are enhancing the natural greenhouse effect, and contributing to an increase in global average temperature and related climate changes.

Most climate models show that a doubling of pre-industrial levels of greenhouse gases will commit the Earth to a rise of between 2 and 5 degrees centigrade; a shift in temperature equivalent to that experienced in the last ice age.

This level of global temperature change will have severe consequences for life on Earth - even a 1.5 degree temperature increase above pre-industrial levels could result in extinction of nearly a third of the world's endangered species.

The Natural Carbon Programme

We have a duty to work alongside others to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to ensure we adapt to the changes we will undoubtedly experience. As one of the oldest conservation organization with strong links to governments, the private sector and local communities we are well positioned to do so.

Our strategy combines efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with a programme that ensures our projects – and those of our partners - are designed to withstand the impacts of climate change. We believe that such activities are better undertaken in collaboration with a range of organizations - peers, governments, local communities and the private sector. The focus of our programme includes:

1. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions: We will work to reduce the annual global greenhouse gas emissions released through the destruction of carbon storing natural ecosystems, such as through our work with Cool Earth.

2. Engaging on climate change policy: We will collaborate with others to encourage climate change policies which support efforts to reduce global losses of biodiversity

3. Adaptation to climate change: We will work to ensure our conservation activities are designed to reduce and adapt to the impacts of climate change

4. Capacity building: We will build capacity within Fauna & Flora International and among our partners to understand and respond to the threats and opportunities posed by climate change.

To find out more about climate change please contact Annelisa Grigg at annelisa.grigg@fauna-flora.org or call +44 (0)1223 579018.