Our food system, our economies, our

Our food system, our economies, our cities and our communities — they’re all adapted to the climate we currently live in.

But what if the climate changes too fast for us to keep up?

The fate of the one and only planet we’ve ever called home is uncertain. It is in everyone's interest to come together to address the challenges we face.

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Why is our climate important?

What are the issues?

#1
source of human-caused emissions
Dependence on fossil fuels
The burning of fossil fuels is the #1 source of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. If emissions continue to rise, we’ll be locked in to devastating rises in temperature. A more diversified, cleaner energy portfolio and increased energy efficiency are critical steps toward reducing our emissions.

50%
population that live near coasts
Vulnerable coasts
About 50% of the global population lives near the coast. But habitat destruction and land use changes are degrading and destroying wetlands and coastal forests — the natural buffers that help protect coastal areas against storm surges, rising sea levels and erosion.

11%
source of human-caused emissions
Deforestation and land use change
Massive amounts of carbon are stored in tropical forests. When we destroy these areas to clear land for ranches or farms, that carbon gets released into the atmosphere and accelerates climate change. Studies show that deforestation accounts for 11% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.

< 0.1%
global GDP needed
Insufficient funding
Global contributions to climate finance fall severely short of what is needed — even though it would only take an estimated US$ 70 billion per year (less than 0.1% of global GDP) to make the changes humanity needs to adapt to a warming world.


CI’s solutions

Scientists estimate that by 2050, we need to reduce worldwide emissions to at least half of their 1990 levels in order to avoid further harmful impacts from climate change. It’s an urgent challenge, and it requires an equally urgent response. Around the world, many of the most vulnerable communities are already struggling to cope with the impacts of climate change.

CI has been pioneering ways to help communities adapt to challenges like rising sea levels, severe storms and more frequent flooding. We also develop new ways of farming that support a healthy environment, minimize climate impacts and create a better quality of life for farmers. And, in addition to on-the-ground expertise and scientific know-how, CI offers practical recommendations that policymakers need to make smart decisions.