Climate change is a burning global issue at the moment. It has posed a threat to the existence of humans, animals and plants on Earth. It is caused by none other than the human activities. Humans have made big strides in industrial development, technological innovation, transport, medical science, urbanisation, agricultural sector, construction and so on. The progress in these fields marks their victory over the harsh nature and overcoming of scarce resources. This has not only helped sustain the rising population on this planet but also elevated human civilisation to a higher stage. However, this stunning success also generated negative offshoots of global scale and intensity. Climate change is the by-product of this achievement. It involves both ‘global warming, caused by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases, and the resulting erratic fluctuations in weather patterns’.

Scientists state that the Earth's average temperature is about 15C but the global warming has driven it at an alarming rate. This unwanted phenomenon began to be noticeable since the mid-20th century when there was the emission of large amount of gases. The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas is considered main source of this emission. It has increased temperature on the Earth, triggering the melting of snow, rise of sea level, heatwaves, storms, wildfires, droughts, unexpected downpours, floods and landslides, among others. Although industrial countries are largely blamed for the emissions of greenhouse gases, almost all countries are affected by the climate change that has acquired political, economic and diplomatic dimensions these days. The least-developed countries like Nepal have least role in increasing the global warming but it is also bearing the brunt, with the unprecedented spike in natural disasters and resultant loss of lives and properties.

According to the news report of this daily, Nepal has witnessed rising number of disasters-- natural and human-made – in the last three years. Landslides and floods have continued to wreak havoc with the lives of people. It has killed and displaced hundreds of people and destroyed farmlands, mega projects, bridges and houses. The damage of Melamchi Drinking Water Project in recent floods in Sindhupalchowk shows that even the well-built big development infrastructures are not safe from such disasters.  Last year alone saw 911 incidents of landslides and floods, with 347 confirmed casualties, which was the highest number of natural disasters in the last one decade. Similarly, lightning that has become biggest killer among other natural calamities in Nepal and attack of desert locusts in June 2020 have also been described as the climatic repercussions.

Global warming has put the country’s over 20 glacial lakes at the risk of outbursts. Sometime back wildfires were burning in hundreds of places across the county, polluting the outer atmosphere and creating respiratory problems among the people. Prolonged dry spells, caused by the depletion of groundwater, has led to the increased incidents of forest fires, according to the experts. They insist that loss of groundwater upsets the ecosystem. For example, with the decline of underground water level, xeric plants have started growing in Panchthar, which are prone to catching fire. Under reckless urbanisation and development drive, the people have encroached upon the rivers, streams, lakes and canals. This is the reason why floods from shrunken rivers have entered the residences in different parts of Kathmandu Valley. In the name of development, we must not undermine the law of nature. We can minimise the adverse impact of climate change with ecological wisdom and green development approach.