“What’s Climate Change got to do with disability”: CBM’s Mary Keogh on BBC Ouch podcast

“People with disabilities have a role to be caretakers of the world and have the skills to do that” says Dr Mary Keogh, Advocacy Director at CBM Global.

In the run-up to COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Mary spoke to BBC Ouch about why people with disabilities are among those most affected by climate change and must be included in responses to it.

Listen to the BBC Ouch podcast on BBC Sounds (open link in new tab).

“People with disabilities are not always considered in terms of policy making or responses, whether that’s in emergency, food security, conflict – it’s not a natural reflex to think about persons with disabilities… this is a critical issue” says Mary.

People with disabilities, especially those living in poverty, are among those hardest hit by climate change. Urgent action is needed to respond to this global crisis and people with disabilities must be meaningfully included.

As experts in understanding their context and identifying their needs and capabilities, they have a valuable role to play in building innovative solutions. A fully inclusive approach also ensures other marginalised groups will not be left out – it benefits everyone.

Find out about CBM’s inclusive climate action and involvement in COP26 (open link in new tab).

Mary Keogh also spoke to Enable Magazine:

“Climate change and its impact affects every community, and the disabled community isn’t any different. People with disabilities need to be involved in the movement for climate justice… The UK Government have a real chance, especially as the UK is hosting COP26 this year, to lead the way in disability inclusion.”

Read Mary Keogh’s full article in Enable Magazine (open link in new tab).

Images: 1st – CBM’s Emergency Response Team member Allen speaks to Jafnos, a man with physical disabilities, following the destruction caused by Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe ©CBM/Hayduk. 2nd – Dr Mary Keogh, CBM Global.