In support of the International Adaptation Funding in the Climate Security Act of 2008

Re: International Adaptation Funding in the Climate Security Act of 2008

Dear Senator:

On behalf of the millions of members and supporters of our development, faith-based, environmental, and other organizations, we are writing to express our support for the "International Climate Change Adaptation and National Security Program" in the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008, S. 3036, and for robust funding for its implementation.

Impoverished countries will be the hardest hit by the devastating consequences of global warming, including water scarcity and drought in some areas and floods and sea-level rise in other areas, degradation of natural systems that support livelihoods, decreased agricultural productivity, and increased disease and other negative health impacts. They have the least capacity to cope with these adverse consequences. Climate change is quickly becoming a driver of poverty around the world, as well as a contributor to insecurity due to natural resource conflict and migration.

According to the UN Development Program, developing countries will need more than $80 billion annually to cope with these impacts. We therefore believe a comprehensive climate policy must address these consequences of global warming. Doing so will help to build international consensus on climate change by engaging developing countries for whom adapting to climate impacts is a vital concern.

The Climate Security Act ensures funding to help vulnerable communities in poor countries adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. The International Climate Change Adaptation and National Security Program provides for assistance to communities in the most vulnerable developing countries to build their resilience to climate change impacts.

We strongly support the commitment in the legislation to provide substantial international adaptation support over the lifetime of the bill. In the near term, efforts to help vulnerable communities adapt to the serious impacts of climate change are desperately needed as soon as possible. We therefore believe it is vital to significantly increase the funding for this program before 2018 by increasing the percentage of allowances devoted to it.

Climate change poses one of the greatest challenges to efforts to promote development around the world and reduce global poverty. As the legislation moves forward, we look forward to working with you to support and strengthen the adaptation provision in the bill and to ensure that it promotes our national interests, while fulfilling our responsibility to the rest of the world.

Sincerely,

ActionAid USA

CARE USA

Church World Service

Conservation International

Friends Committee on National Legislation

Friends of the Earth U.S.

Institute Justice Team of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

Leadership Conference of Women Religious

Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington Office

National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd

Natural Resources Defense Council

National Audubon Society

National Peace Corps Association

Sojourners

Oxfam America

United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

Virginia Interfaith Center

Women's Environment and Development Organization