Climate change: Listen to southern Africa Climate change is endangering the lives of millions in southern Africa, exacerbating existing challenges from food security to public health and economic inequality. Until now the voices of those most affected by global warming have been ignored. The UN climate change conference in South Africa at the end of 2011 provides an opportunity to change that and ensure that the alleviation of poverty, creation of decent jobs and upholding of human rights are considered. Listen to southern Africa: Lend us your ears Ahead of the UN climate change conference in Durban at the end of 2011 ACTSA supporters sent hundreds of postcards to Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, calling on him to listen to southern Africa's calls for a fair and equitable deal on climate change. ACTSA met with the Department for Energy and Climate Change ahead of the conference to present a giant montage of pictures of supporters ears in the shape of a map of Africa and reinforce our message: ‘Listen to southern Africa’.  Read Chris Huhne's response to our campaign. Read ACTSA's calls ahead of the conference: Climate Change Briefing Paper (2011) 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.

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