Climate change is causing an unprecedented, global human rights crisis – and must now be countered by co-ordinated, rights-based action. The daily lives of millions are already being affected by the effects of global warming: desertification, droughts, flooding or cyclones. Basic human rights - such as the right to life, health, food, water, shelter or property - are threatened. The ones who will suffer most are those who are already vulnerable, not least people in poor areas and among them the elderly, women and children.