Oxfam France's latest study - "Climate Change, We are not Ready" - shows that French public authorities are inadequately preparing for climate change, jeopardizing citizens' protection against its impacts. The report underscores that more than half (!!) of human rights in France are threatened due to the government's arbitrary approach to climate adaptation and the absence of a comprehensive, ambitious policy. ⚠️
Some of the key findings:
👩⚖️ Threatened rights: 26 out of 50 fundamental EU rights are at risk, including health, education, and housing.
🚸 Impact on children: By 2030, 1.3 million kindergarten children will face extreme classroom heat, affecting 55% of kindergartens nationwide and 100% in certain regions such as Bouches du Rhône.
👷♀️ Workplace exposure: already today 36% of workers currently face extreme heat at work.
🏗️ Infrastructure risk: By 2100, 5% of hospitals, 3% of primary schools, and 2.3% of retirement homes could close due to climate events.
Rising inequality amid the climate crisis
France, like the rest of the world, is severely impacted by the climate crisis. The summer of 2023 was one of the hottest on record, and 2022 saw numerous extreme weather events. Oxfam estimates that 62% of the French population is highly exposed to climate risks.
Climate change and inequality are interconnected: the wealthiest emit the most greenhouse gases, exacerbating the crisis, while the most vulnerable, the poor and modest households, women, children, the elderly, and marginalised groups, bear the brunt of its effects. In Europe, the richest 20% are better protected than the poorest 20%, largely due to public policies that favour the affluent.
Oxfam recommendations
💰 Substantial investment: Billions of euros annually for climate adaptation, distributed fairly.
🟰 Democratic planning: Inclusive planning based on vulnerability assessments and citizen involvement.
💵 Effective investments: Public investments focused on reducing inequalities.
🗺️ Enforceable plan: A binding National Climate Adaptation Plan to hold the state accountable.
⚖️ Reformed labour rights: Updated labour laws to protect workers from climate impacts.
🌍 International responsibility: France should fund climate adaptation in the Global South.
With this new key report, Oxfam stresses the urgent need for France to adopt a proactive and equitable climate adaptation strategy to protect fundamental rights and address rising inequalities.
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21 w
The government ought to come with better measures that are effective so as to bring about relevant change too .
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22 w
France ought to come up with better adaptation policies and come up with better measures to mitigate the effects of climate change.
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23 w
Important spotlight by Oxfam France! Urgent need for stronger climate adaptation policies. 🌍🚨💼
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26 w
Dear Sarah Chabane Your climate love has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to Oxfam France by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Matin, We Don't Have Time
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26 w
This isn't an encouraging report and I believe France is in a position to do more with regard to actions geared towards combating climate change.
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26 w
France should strengthen its climate adaptation policies to enhance resilience and mitigate risks across various sectors and communities.