World Bank vision for a New Climate Normal - Oxfam Reaction

The World Bank’s 'Turn Down the Heat: Confronting the New Climate Normal' report delivers a troubling new assessment of the impact climate change is having on food security, water resources and ecosystems. It warns that without action heat waves and other weather extremes that occur once every hundred years, if ever, would become the new climate normal putting millions of people at risk.

Heat extremes, changes in precipitation patterns, storm surges, and sea level are already putting massive pressure on global food production, access to water, government development programs, and the health of the world's poor. 

Importantly the report also states that without very ambitious emissions reduction, the world is locked into a 1.5 degree warming pathway, emphasizing the need for drastic action from governments to both protect the poorest and reduce emissions. 

In response to the World Bank’s report, Nicolas Mombrial, Head of Office for Oxfam International in Washington, DC said: 

“The World Bank's report highlights that climate change is not just a threat far in the future but is already endangering the world's poor and the ability for the planet to feed us all. The report should give negotiators heading to Lima in December for the next round of climate talks renewed urgency to make clear progress towards a deal. 

“The dangerous climate impacts communities are already feeling should drive countries to step up efforts to protect and prepare their citizens for a warmer world. The analysis shows that no country can sit back and ignore the risks. 

“It is crucial that the Bank’s lending policies, including those of the Bank’s private sector arm, react to their own warnings by mainstreaming climate resilience programs and support for equitable, low-carbon development.”