Many people think of poverty and the environment as separate issues, but in fact they are hugely interdependent. Most of the world’s poor are rural poor. Many are subsistence farmers, completely dependent on their environment for survival. For instance, in many areas as a result of widespread deforestation, the land isn't providing like it used to. Land that once bore bountiful crops that could be sold or eaten, isn't producing. Streams that used to provide water to drink, now run dry. Out of desperation, the poor cut down more trees to sell as firewood, even though doing so means further destroying their one chance of survival. People around the world face this type of challenge. As Christians, we are inspired by the example and teaching of Jesus to see that people have deeply interconnected material and spiritual needs. We're called to act justly, to love our neighbors, and to care for God's creation. This involves working with poor communities to develop and maintain an environment in which they can live and prosper, despite environmental degradation. This is crucial for millions of poor people who depend on their immediate environment for water, crops and fish stocks.

• We see the worst impacts of environmental degradation in the poorest areas of the world. Poverty is worsened by bad environmental conditions and can be addressed by improving these conditions.
• It is important to be not just compassionate, but also wise. Even the most well-intentioned aid can ultimately do more harm than good if it does not leave in place agricultural, social, and environmental sustainability.
• Climate change could reverse many of the development gains of recent decades and present challenges for how development work should be carried out in the future.