Giving a voice to those on the frontline of climate change

Academics from Northumbria University’s Centre for International Development have joined forces with the charity Traidcraft Exchange to shine a light on communities around the world affected by climate change.

Traidcraft Exchange was established in Newcastle in 1986 as the charitable arm of the fairtrade organisation Traidcraft, which works with communities in Africa and Asia to ensure producers get a fair price for their products.

Today Traidcraft Exchange launched its Regenerators Appeal – designed to build greater awareness of how the climate emergency is affecting already vulnerable communities, how those communities are adapting in building livelihoods, and what the global community can do to build more sustainable futures.

The appeal is being backed by academics from Northumbria’s Centre for International Development – many of whom are working directly with these communities through their research projects.

Professor Matt Baillie Smith, Dr Oliver Hensengerth and Dr Laura Beckwith are all carrying out research as part of Northumbria’s involvement in the UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) Living Delta’s Hub.

This is one of 12 interdisciplinary Hubs working with governments, international agencies, partners and NGO in developing countries and around the globe, to develop creative and sustainable solutions which help make the world, and the UK, safer, healthier and more prosperous.

As part of their participation in the project, academics from Northumbria are developing research to understand young people’s experiences of changing delta environments in India, Bangladesh and Vietnam, and the actions young people themselves are leading to adapt and build more sustainable delta futures.

In addition, Dr Peter Howson is researching climate change mitigation and financing in the Asia Pacific region.

Speaking about why the Centre for International development was supporting the Traidcraft Exchange Regenerator’s Appeal, Professor Baillie Smith said: “Across many of our projects and activities, the Centre works with communities, policy makers, practitioners and the wider public to foster debate and shape change.

“It is because of this, and the University’s wider commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, that the Centre is delighted to partner with Traidcraft Exchange on The Regenerators Appeal.”

The Traidcraft Exchange’s Regenerators Appeal runs from 8th March to 7th June 2021. Any donations made during this time will be matched by the UK government to help the most vulnerable stand strong in the face of climate change. To learn more, or support the appeal, please visit https://bit.ly/3efgX7k

Find out more about the work of Northumbria University’s Centre for International Development here.