The impacts of climate change in southern Africa are already apparent, from more frequent and prolonged floods and droughts to weather patterns and destabilized livelihoods. The region contributes little to climate change but suffers disproportionately from its effects. Climate change represents a severe threat to economic growth and development in southern Africa, and will exacerbate poverty and current inequalities. In order to prevent this crisis from deepening, global carbon emissions must be reduced and a range of measures implemented to adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change. In December 2009 the international community met at a summit in Copenhagen to discuss the effects of climate change. The hope was that it would reach a new agreement on climate change targets. However, the summit failed to make a legally binding agreement on greenhouse gas emission. The fund to support developing countries, including those in southern Africa, tackle the causes and meet the consequences of global warming is an aspiration not a commitment and it also not clear if it will be additional to current international development support. Read ACTSA's response to the Copenhagen summit. Supporting the campaign In the run up to the international summit on climate change in Copenhagen in December 2009, ACTSA collected over 500 campaign cards calling on Gordon Brown to take leadership in supporting a new global fund for developing countries. ACTSA delivered the cards to 10 Downing Street on Friday 4 December. We hope to have a response from the Prime Minister and will let you know as soon as we hear anything. Thank you to everybody who completed a card and supported the campaign. See photos

Links ACTSA report: Climate change in southern Africa ACTSA report: Climate change in southern Africa [Executive Summary] ACTSA climate change campaign Flickr photos  News Latest news on climate change