By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Oct. 9: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli Thursday said climate change had posed an existential threat.
Addressing the Virtual Climate Vulnerable Forum Leaders event organised in conjunction with the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly on October 7, the PM said, "The best available science tells us that with rising temperature, rising sea levels, and melting glaciers, humanity is on the wrong side of the race against nature."
"Retreat of the glacial ice due to global warming has negatively impacted the livelihoods in the Himalayan and high mountain civilisation, induced disasters in the lowlands and has caused rise of the ocean levels," he said.
PM Oli said that Nepal’s snow-fed rivers had nourished the basins and helped in cleaning the ocean ecosystems. "They serve as natural climate stabiliser signifying the organic linkage between mountains and the oceans," he added. The PM also said that climate vulnerable countries like Nepal had borne the brunt of inaction of others.
Stating that the impacts of climate change did not respect political boundaries, PM Oli said that the vision set by the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) for increased commitment by all nations to limit the rise of global temperature to 1.5°C was vital.
The PM also added that the inception of ‘Survival Deadline’ today highlighted the urgency of climate action."The large emitters should break their silence and scale up climate ambitions to send a strong signal. This is a time to walk the talk. It is a time to inspire others by example with full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement," he said.
Stating that reducing every fraction of a degree in temperature mattered for countries like Nepal, PM Oli said that it had raised

a question of survival for the vulnerable countries. The PM also said it was important to keep the climate issues at the top of global political agenda for COP 26 next year.
Nepal remains committed to communicate enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) by the end of this year, he added.
Moreover, PM Oli said that the COVID-19 pandemic could be an opportunity for a greener and more sustainable health and economies as the lessons learnt amid the pandemic could be useful to tackle climate change.
Highlighting on the need to unite for climate actions, to have a common plan of sustainable solutions, the PM said that the action must start now against climate change for survival.
PM Oli also congratulated Bangladesh for assuming the Chairmanship of CVF and coordinating the event.