Sign On - It's critical for the world's poorest

As the National Director of an organisation working with a group of people who are one of the most vulnerable groups in the world - those living with disabilities in third world countries - I have become acutely aware of the impact that climate change is having by hindering effective development.

If we in the west who have the ability to affect real change miss this opportunity to reduce our impact on climate globally we will be assigning millions to a future in absolute poverty. This is not a overly dramatic statement - it is a fact.

The effect of heavier than usual rains in many places have left soils unproductive, while in other places the extended periods of drought have forced millions into malnutrition and for some starvation. For those with disability they will be the first to be affected and the worst affected. They will miss out on aid, they will be unable to get to help, they will be the first to die.

Let us not sit and watch while this happens - the capacity to eliminate poverty exists if we are serious about it and making change for an environmentally sustainable future is a critical part of this.

Sign on and give this campaign the voice it needs to effect change, encourage your friends and colleagues to sign on. Then if you want to make a difference for those affected the most check out www.cbmnz.org.nz

The time is now, lets make it happen.