Nepal, say scientists, is already starting to witness some of the worst effects of climate change, in the form of heavy unseasonal rainfall, rising winter temperature, melting glacial lakes and loss of biodiversity. But how aware are our youths, who make up the bulk of the population, about climate change, and how seriously do they take it? Priyanjali Karn of ApEx talked to 10 of them to find out. 

Rupesh Bhattarai, 26, Teacher

I am moderately aware of the effects of climate change on Nepal. As I’m a teacher, I like to keep my students informed, including on climate change, and for that I have to keep up with what is happening and its effects on the people of Nepal. I also follow many scientific communities on social media where I find informed people sharing studies on climate change and its effects on the Himalayan region. Other than that, there’s my own curiosity. For instance, I cannot help but think that the recent spate of floods around the country had something to do with climate change.

Sumana Shakya, 23, Practicing artist

We can compare the experiences of different generations to understand the effects of climate change. Though I don’t know much about it, the recent sudden weather changes cannot be ignored. I remember hearing stories from my grandparents of what Kathmandu city used to be like before urbanization kicked in. There was far less crowding, and there used to be snowfall in Kathmandu, I am told. But our generation has never been able to witness something like that. Perhaps this is due to global warming.

Binod Deuba Thakuri, 21, Climate activist

The climate change narrative is changing and our way of looking at the problem is evolving. Climate change has been affecting our lifestyle for a long time, but we have tended to overlook our role in controlling it. That is the main problem. As a climate change activist, and from what I have seen in my research through Harin Nepal, a youth-led coalition for the environment, our mountains, and glacial lakes are melting, the summers are getting too hot and winters too cold. Yet many government projects continue to fell millions of trees. 

Shraddha Shakya, 24, Activation assistant

I am somewhat aware of the effects of climate change in Nepal, but I do not know of it in detail. I read about recent temperature and weather changes in the news. I think the reason many people are not aware of it is because of how little it is discussed among common folks. This is despite the many movements that are working on creating greater climate change awareness.

Hrishabh Karmacharya, 23, Marketing manager

I have a basic understanding of climate change from what I’ve learned through different environment movements and awareness campaigns run by NGOs and INGOs. But I don’t have an in-depth understanding. From what I know, the topic of climate change doesn’t interest many and they tend to normalize it, assuming that they have no part in it. But, evidently, the impact of climate change can already be felt in our daily lives, and all of us play a big or small role in the big picture.

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Susmita Aryal, 20, Student of English major

From what I learned as a student, climate change is largely man-made. Earlier this year, we faced the worst air pollution ever, where the valley was covered with smog to a point where it was even dangerous to go out, and it also increased the risk of many diseases. Being an asthma patient, I had to strictly stay at home. I fear there must be hundreds of thousands of other folks like me who have to tough it out. So, yes, I can directly feel the effects of climate change.  

Abinish Kumar Dutta, 30, Aerospace engineer

I had been aware of the concept of climate change for a while but I only started understanding its severity in my Bachelors years, although my choice of degree, engineering, was not exactly tailored to increase my climate-awareness. But I had heard about green technologies and wanted to research them out of my own curiosity. On casual observation too, the frequency of natural disasters is increasing. From forest fires, biodiversity destruction, habitat loss to reduced crop harvest, it is only a matter of time climate change will directly and severely affect the daily lives of each and every one of us.

Sumnima Suman, 26, Doctor

I have always been interested in climate change and I keep myself updated on the topic. I studied medicine and climate change was also a part of my dermatology and ENT syllabus. It directly affects the health of children, youth and old people. Climate change increases the risk of illnesses. We see more and more patients who come in because they cannot handle the sudden change of season, which, I suspect, is due to climate change.

Dil Chhetri, 22, Student of Computer applications

It is hard to be oblivious of climate change because it is showing in our lives too. All of us have experienced recent weather changes. But from what I’ve found, there is still a gap between being aware about the topic on the surface and understanding it deep and doing something about it in our daily lives. Climate change news is almost like a rumor: something we like to hear about but then quickly forget.

Pranab Yadav, 29, Operational engineer

I am aware of climate change. There are many factors to gauge its effects. First, the weather pattern is changing on a yearly basis. School curriculum also highlights the issue and I think for most of us, our awareness was built from school. I am an operational engineer and keep myself updated. These days, many news channels are also disseminating news on how climate change affects our country.