An article by Naderev M. Saño, Climate Change Commissioner, the Philippines.
Just three days after Typhoon Haiyan, the biggest storm to ever make landfall, devastated my homeland, I attended the opening of the UN climate change talks in Poland. With a deep sense of anxiety about the fate of my family and friends, I pleaded with delegates to recognize that vulnerable countries, such as the Philippines, cannot cope with the overwhelming impacts of climate change alone.
Today, governments meet in Japan to discuss a major new scientific report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The report outlines the scale of the threat climate change poses to people across the globe and suggests ways to help people cope.
One of the most serious risks we face is escalating hunger. No civilization can flourish without food — many have perished with the crash of food and water systems.
Climate change is making people hungry. It will change what we all eat. Extreme weather events such as Typhoon Haiyan, unpredictable seasons, increasing temperatures and rising sea levels are already causing chaos for farmers and fisherfolk. Food prices are going up.
Food quality is going down. By 2050, 50 million more people — equivalent to the population of Spain — will be at risk of going hungry because of climate change.
Typhoon Haiyan devastated my country. Thousands of people perished and millions more lost their homes and livelihoods.
My own family witnessed the storm up close. Along with millions of other survivors, they continue to be haunted by painful memories of their ordeal.
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