Climate Change and Its Implication in Nepal
The recent news title in the national newspaper, The Kathmandu Post read “Soaring temperatures affect life in Namche.” It was widely circulated as a meme on social media. People mocked the news article and questioned how anyone can feel hot at 12 degrees Celsius. However, they forgot that the average temperature in the previous years would be 4 to 5 degrees Celsius. Climate change is a serious threat to Nepal as it is one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change. Nepal’s contribution to climate change is negligible. It contributes just 0.1 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions. However, Nepal falls under the ten most vulnerable countries due to climate change. In recent years Nepal has experienced higher temperatures, erratic rainfall, glacier recession, and unpredictable monsoons. Every year, we hear news reports about the disasters brought on by climate change, like floods, landslides, and droughts that disproportionately affect the poor. The Plight of the Poor Climate change primarily affects the poor and indigenous people. The environment and climate are often directly or indirectly linked to shocks that plunge people into poverty. It is common for low-income households to live in places that are susceptible to landslides and water shortages, making them even more vulnerable to climate change. The instances of drying up of water resources have become common in recent times. Phurba Sangmo, a local herder from Dolpo has to travel an hour to fetch water. Amrita Adhikari, a resident of Jumla shares her experience of acute water shortage for many years. Many households in Nepal have fallen into poverty as a result of floods and landslides. These natural disasters ravage homes and other forms of productive capital like animals. Floods and landslides cause around 300 deaths and three million dollars worth of economic damage.
Shreya Pathak, Daayitwa-Nimbus Nepal Fellow 2023,24th July,2023,
Dependency on agriculture
Most Nepalese rely on subsistence farming. According to the Nepal Economic Forum out of the 2.60 million hectares (ha) of land under cultivation, 1.80 million ha is irrigated, of which 1.40 million ha lies on the Terai or plains, and the remaining 0.40 million ha of land remains unirrigated, usually dependent on the seasonal rains. They are highly reliant on monsoon rainfall and unpredictable weather patterns which are the causes of climate change. Poor households also have non-irrigated lands. They are solely dependent on rainfall for irrigation. Those without irrigated lands are further prone to crop failure. It has highly affected the production of crops in Nepal. They practice subsistence farming, eating the produce they grow on their grounds. They were unable to harvest any crops when their land experienced water shortages or flooding. The ramifications for their health will then follow. They must then use their assets to pay for medical expenses. They became even more impoverished because of their health problems, which prevented them from working. Poor women and children are particularly vulnerable to this behavior.
Mountains: The hardest hit
The people who live in hilly and mountainous areas have been most affected by the drying up of the water resources with rising temperatures. In comparison to other regions of Nepal, the mountainous areas are warming up faster. In mountainous areas, the effects of climate change include irregular monsoon season beginning, glacial retreat, storms, landslides, and drought. Manang and Mustang, two beautiful districts of Nepal, have never had much rain, but recently there has been a drought. Their only water source, which was spring water, has begun to disappear. Those sources of water are not only used for drinking but also for agriculture and animal husbandry. There is low production of staple crops and fruits. Reduced production of staple crops and fruits has heightened food and livelihood insecurity, exacerbating income insecurity among these communities.
Gender Implications
Nepal's rural poor women are particularly vulnerable to the changes the climate catastrophe brings about. Since Nepal still has a patriarchal society, most of the women in rural families are responsible for taking care of the home, especially in poor households. They often travel long distances to fetch water, leading to prolonged health issues and spinal strain. Studies have shown that women who carry water over the years suffer from muscular disorders and psychosocial well-being. The Nepal Labour Force Survey 2017/18 revealed that 61% of women engage in subsistence farming, while only 47% of men do. This stark gender disparity demonstrates the vulnerability of women to asset and income loss.
In conclusion, the effects of climate change on Nepal's poor are serious and call for immediate action. Government policy needs to consider the needs of the poor. To lessen climate change, clean energy is being used. But for low-income homes, employing renewable energy for cooking, like electricity, is expensive. Then the government would fund such a renewable energy source. Additionally, mobile awareness campaigns can educate people about the importance and benefits of reforestation. Research on adaptation strategies should be conducted by the government and relevant stakeholders. Small-scale farmers should receive training on climate knowledge, including water management techniques and soil conservation methods to enhance agricultural productivity and food security. Early weather forecast alerts should be provided to those at risk, allowing them time to protect their assets. Access to safety nets, such as insurance plans for homes, possessions, and livestock, should be simplified