Nepal is a landlocked country; about 15 percent of the landmass of Nepal is perpetually under the cover of snow. Its water reserves are the Himalayan glaciers and snow, which are the water source for about 500 million people downstream. These reserves are threatened by the global climate change.
The impact of climate change on the Himalayas of Nepal has been very rapid. If such a trend continued, experts warn that the rivers of Nepal will be seasonal in just 30 years. Nepal’s rivers (driven by snow-melt) are already showing signs of decreasing flows. Recently when I was in a team of Climate Change vulnerability assessment in Langtang area in Nepal funded by WWF (World Wildlife Fund), I was able to see the extent of impact. We had to study the Kimjung Glacier. I was in the Hydrology part so I had to study the glacier and measure the glacier retreat. The glaciers have decreased by more than 60 meters in just 15 years. The current trend shows that the next generation will have less water to drink and for other purposes.
As Nepal is a frontline country in climate change impacts, the government must assess the impacts upon the availability of water for the future generation, but it is less talked about in Nepal. Nepal is very rich in water resources and has abundant water resources, but to date, 82 percent of populations have access to safe and clean drinking water. It is reported in many areas that the drinking water scarcity is increasing.
It is predicted that 0.5° Celsius temperature is increasing per year. The increase of temperature will further increase the glacier melting. The climate change is due to the excess of greenhouse gas not only from Nepal, but around the world because the environment is global. The emission rates are increasing in India and China which will definitely change the climate, especially in the region that Nepal belongs to. Nepal is sandwiched between the two economic, booming Asian giants, India and China. The emission rates are high in these two countries.
Climate change is inevitable. Youths must be very concerned about these issues and must contribute. This age group is the key stakeholder of social, environmental, political and economic issues of the nation. Youths can act as perpetrators of conflict, and they can equally play significant “reverse role” of peace keeping. They can also participate in the policy-making processes and must be concerned about other greener and sustainable technologies for the future.
Nepal is now going through a new political setup; the role of the youths must be to address the issues and know its impacts and convey it to the political leaders. The climate change is a global issue, but developing countries like Nepal are going to get more affected by the consequences. Water is a human right, and this right is threatened by the global climate change.
According to The Nepali Times, "UNEP says the retreat of glaciers is most rapid in the Andes, but is also speeding up in the Himalayas, and by 2100, up to 80 percent of its ice cap could melt with potentially cataclysmic ecological and political consequences downstream." Nepal has about 26 potentially dangerous glacial lakes (ICIMOD and UNEP/EAP-AP 2000). The Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) is accelerated by the global climate change. These types of outburst flood from the glacier lake have huge impacts. It is high time for Nepal; it should be prepared for the catastrophe and youths must be very active.
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