South Asia, with India right in the centre, South-East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are likely to face the worst heat from climate change, a study released by the World Bank predicts. Last year the bank had released a report that estimated that by the end of this century the world would be warmer by 4 degree Celsius, which would severely impact agricultural production, water resources, coastal ecosystems as well as the cities. This is in comparison to the pre-industrialisation days.

The new report predicts that globally a 2 degree Celsius rise in temperature is likely to lead to a 20 per cent dip in water availability. Further, a 4 degree rise will create severe water stress with availability declining by 50 per cent. In a grim finding, the report suggests that sea levels may rise by 50 cm as early as 2050 and by 100 cm by 2100. This could result in several heavily populated portions of land going under water. Indians may well have to get used to extreme summers, increased drought as well as increased flooding as precipitation patterns change dramatically.

(The Hindu Business Line)

Nepal Becoming More Vulnerable

Nepal is also witnessing a significant impact of the climate change along with other South Asian neighbours. Although Nepal’s contribution to Climate Change is negligible compared to the developed and major developing countries, it is becoming more vulnerable to the economic and ecological impacts of climate change .The mountain region is experiencing an increasing frequency and intensity of extreme climate events such as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF), flash floods, monsoon floods and cloudbursts, which in turn bring down huge amounts of sediment thereby causing widespread damage to property and life in lower areas.

Similarly, the Terai region is also experiencing harsh winter fog. The traditional resilience of the region and its people is rapidly being eroded by a growing reliance on and over-exploitation of natural resources which is threatening sustainability. Nepal’s vulnerability to climate change is clearly tied to its water resource management. Water resources are linked to livelihoods and development through hydropower, irrigation, health, and disasters. Changes in hydrological cycle and the gradual depletion of water resources are some of the top environmental challenges that Nepal is facing in the context of global warming. Sharply shrinking of forest areas is also a major concern.

Experts warn about the effect of climate change on Nepali economy.’ All these factors are seriously threatening Nepal’s agricultural output which highly depends upon rainfall rather than irrigation,’ says Manjit Dhakal, Program Director of Clean Energy Nepal, the secretariat of Climate Change Network Nepal. ‘Now-a-days dry season is getting more dry while wet season is becoming more wet, the seasons have become unpredictable too,’ he said pointing to the environmental anomaly. According to Dhakal, hydropower and tourism are among other sectors to be affected as Nepal’s energy production and inflow of foreigners are directly related to the change in climate.

‘Climate change has become a major international issue, talking about global scenario we can see that it has evolved as a political, economic and diplomatic issue , the government should realize this as we are among the most suffering from global warming,’ Dhakal mentioned. He suggested the government to step forward for the proper and effective implementation of policies related to climate change. ‘Priority should be given for implementation rather than adoption of policies, we’ve experienced that by just printing policies in a paper won’t be of any help,’ he added.