Adaptation Should Not Be Ugly Duckling at COP21
As negotiations have shown no sign of reaching a collective goal on public funding towards adaptation, CARE International calls out to negotiators through hand-painted ducks. 300 ducks made of papier maché, painted by children, were handed out to delegations in order to urge for technical and financial support to climate adaptation actions.
As droughts, floods and rainfall variability increase, adaptation is a matter of survival for many communities impacted by climate change.
“States seem to be reaching a compromise on a global goal for adaptation. Acknowledging the need for adaptation would be a big step forward in the climate negotiations – it would prove there is a true will to improve populations’ resilience. However, funding is a tricky question which, so far, remains unanswered.”
Fanny Petitbon, Advocacy Officer, CARE France
Adaptation remains the poor cousin of climate funding. Only 16% of climate funding is dedicated to adaptation, according to estimates from the OECD.
“We must act as soon as possible. With each dollar invested today, future loss decreases. The COP21 agreement must include a goal of 35 billion dollars of public funding towards adaptation before 2020.”
Aurélie Ceinos, Climate Officer, CARE France
CARE and nearly 300 children, aged 8 to 10, have called out to negotiators by exhibiting hundreds of colorful ducks bearing messages such as, “Save the Climate” and “Act for our Future”. These ducks have been handed out to delegations, including those of France, Germany, the USA and Costa Rica, who will submit their draft tomorrow.
“In Bangladesh, floods are becoming more frequent; they destroy houses and threaten communities’ income. In order to adapt, chicken livestock may be replaced by ducks. Equally nutritious, ducks are able to swim and therefore to survive floods. This initiative has given families a better ability to face climate hazards.”
Philippe Lévêque, CEO of CARE France
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