The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) begins December 7 in Copenhagen, Denmark, with world leaders joining together to discuss climate change. While in attendance, experts at the Red Cross/Red Crescent Centre on Climate Change and Disaster Preparedness, located in The Hague, Netherlands, will provide advice and ideas to governments on how to help people and communities cope with the affects of climate change.

Climate change has a human face.
• Climate change not only affects more than the environment; it changes lives.
          • As natural disasters increase, families lose their homes and livelihoods.
          • People catch and spread diseases when water is unavailable because of drought.
          • Children go hungry and eventually die when food supplies shrink.
• The people most affected by climate change are the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. They lack the resources to adapt to changing weather patterns and cope with related losses.

World leaders need to do more – and action must start now.
• Global leaders have an historic opportunity to help people deal with the impacts of climate change.
• However, the clock is ticking – millions of people around the world are already feeling the impacts of climate change.

The Red Cross encourages greater investments in preparedness.
• One of the best ways to save lives and livelihoods is to take action before a disaster strikes.
• It pays to prepare – experts estimate that for every dollar spent on disaster preparedness, four dollars are saved on disaster response. 
• Any agreements made in Copenhagen should incorporate improved preparedness and strategies to reduce disaster risk.
• By reducing their vulnerabilities and strengthening their livelihoods, people and communities will become more resilient to disasters.

We’re helping people – here and abroad – cope with the impacts of climate change.
• The Red Cross works with communities in the most remote corners of the globe to address their preparedness needs.
• We have recently doubled our international preparedness efforts to help people cope with new and more frequent threats. 
          • Today, when impending storms threaten in Bangladesh, Red Cross volunteers drive the streets to alert residents using megaphones. Ten years ago, warnings came late or not at all, and hundreds of thousands died.
• Here at home, we’re also helping communities identify local risks and train residents how to react in the face of emergencies. During these stormy winter months, the Mt. Baker Chapter of the American Red Cross is providing information to local residents on how to prepare for strong winds and power outages, and well as safety tips for cold weather conditions.

You can help by preparing your family and supporting the American Red Cross.
• First, get prepared. Visit www.mtbredcross.org for ways to protect your home, business and school against the most common disaster threats in your community. 
• Please support American Red Cross in preparing communities abroad for the impacts of climate change by making a donation to the International Response Fund.

Please click here to view Red Cross' position statement on climate change.