KATHMANDU, Jan 30: Sweden's Greta Thunberg became an environmental activist after being diagnosed with the 'Asperger's Syndrome'. Asperger's Syndrome is a developmental disorder which is part of the autism spectrum and results in hyperactivity. That is, the intellectual level of a person with this syndrome is above average but such a person has difficulty socializing and communicating with other people. But Greta says that her illness is her greatest strength and that is why she has become an active environmental campaigner.
Greta, when she was in the 9th grade, held a two-week protest in front of the Swedish parliament in November 2018. She demanded that the government reduce carbon emissions by 15 percent. Since then, she has been continuously active in this campaign.
Of late, the young generation has been increasingly facing the problem of climate change. It is this generation which will have to deal with this crisis for the rest of their lives. Now, there is a debate on 'why should we be punished for the mistakes we did not make?’ and the countries which created this problem should also contribute significantly to its solution. In this context, young people have been speaking out at national and international conferences on this issue which is directly related to themselves and their future.
In Nepal, this generation has also been actively debating the impact of climate change on the country and the problems faced by the youth. Whether through various programs within the country or at other forums including the United Nations Climate Change Conference, the youth have been advocating and making their presence felt.
In addition, various studies have shown that the effects of climate change have caused the melting of the snow in the mountains in Nepal, increasing the risk of avalanches and floods. In the Nepali month of Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August) of this year, a glacial lake burst and flooded Thame in Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality of Solukhumbu. On August 16 last year, a severe flood with large stones and rocks turned the picturesque Thame Bazaar into a stone quagmire at around 1 pm. A preliminary study conducted by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority showed that such disasters have occurred due to the impact of climate change. Nepal has been facing various problems in the health, agriculture, energy and other sectors due to climate change not only in Thame but also in various other places. Undoubtedly, women, youth and the poor and marginalized groups are the most affected by this crisis.
The crisis brought about by climate change is being debated at various levels of society. But such voices have not yet reached the policy level. Climate change activist Amrit Devkota of Pokhara says that we should be aware from now on so that future generations do not have to face the problems faced by today's youth. Devkota explains climate change and environmental rights to teachers and students in schools. This has also become a means of spreading awareness in the community.
Similarly, Gita Pandey of Kathmandu has also been debating the impact of climate change for a decade. Pandey, an activist, joined this campaign immediately after completing her master's degree in environmental science. She said that climate change has had a greater impact on youth, children and women. She also said that research is necessary because it is not clear which sectors and groups are the most affected, including youth, children and women.
Women's participation has also been found to be low among the youth who raise awareness about the effects of climate change. They are not able to come out openly. Even the women who have come forward are rarely seen in leadership roles. Therefore, their concerns are not reflected in the policy-making process.
Similarly, Anjali Chalise, former coordinator of Nepali Youth for Climate Action (NYCA), has been continuously participating in the last four UN climate conferences. Chalise, a graduate in environmental science, feels that this issue should be debated while studying. That is why she is still active in this campaign. She thinks that young people have started to take a little more interest in climate change of late than before. She also notes that the government has started taking youth participation into account.
Chalise said, “Earlier, not many young people were involved in the campaign. They did not know about this issue. But in recent times, young people have become more involved in this campaign. The government has also called youth for discussions, but that alone cannot be said to be enough as the number of youth called for such discussions is limited.”
Increase in women's health problems
SHIFT for Our Planet: Youths urge authorities to make climate j...
Humanitarian aid workers have found that young women and girls are being more affected by disasters caused by climate change. According to them, women are suffering from various types of abuse, the risk of trafficking, and the burden of household chores. Public health workers have experienced many problems such as having to carry water from far away when water sources in the mountains and hill regions dry up, and women's uteruses fall out when carrying heavy loads. Thus, women are at the highest risk of natural and climate-related disasters.
Youth limited to campaigns
Amrit Devkota, a climate change expert and campaigner, thinks that although climate change is a technical issue, there is a lack of material to explain it in a simple way. Devkota leads the National Youth Network for Sustainable Development and the Environmental Rights and Climate Justice Network, and involves the youth in this campaign.
However, Devkota admits that the youth only debate on the issue of climate change and have not been able to make it to the decision-making. Devkota says that although youth participate in various programs, it is necessary to assess how meaningful such participation is. Only by debating the issue of climate change and raising their rights in a systematic way can it be effective..
He says that as youth are more creative by nature, taking this issue to society on behalf of the youth can have an impact. As the government has started only recently raising this issue a little more, Devkota expresses optimism that youth participation can be ensured at the decision-making level in the coming days.
Chalise, who is campaigning to raise awareness about the effects of climate change, says that although the government has recently started involving youth in climate change issues, it is not enough. “Now, the situation clearly requires active participation of youth in climate change issues. But the number of youth invited by the ministry is limited. Inviting only a few youth will not be enough. There should be participation of youth from across the country,” says Chalise.
Of late, political parties have started discussing and debating climate change issues. They have started seeking the opinions and suggestions of the youth before participating in any international program on climate change.
Devkota says that political parties need to include with priority climate change issues in their manifestos. Similarly, Chalise says that the climate change debate and discussions become more effective when political parties carry them out. But she thinks that parties have not raised the issue as much as they should have. “They seem to speak up on the matter of budget, but remain silent before and after that. They need to speak up at other times as well.”
Initiatives to be taken by lawmakers
A debate on climate change has also emerged within political parties, with young lawmakers from major parties actively engaging in the campaign. Several parties are working on establishing climate change departments.
According to CPN (Maoist Center) lawmaker Madhav Sapkota, a forest, environment, and climate change department has already been formed within his party, and preparations are underway to discuss climate change in the party. “Personally, I have been raising the issue of climate change in programs organized in my constituency. We are also debating it within the party and are now planning to organize programs with a concrete plan,” he says.
Sapkota further says that the younger generation must take the lead on this issue, adding, “If we do not curb carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change, future generations will face severe challenges. Therefore, there needs to be greater knowledge, awareness, discussion, and interaction among the youth.”
Similarly, Kalyan Gurung, head of the climate change department of the Nepali Congress, confirms that discussions on climate change are ongoing within the party. He says that he is continuously engaging with experts in environmental science, forestry, organic agriculture, and policy-making. “We are holding discussions with experts from various fields related to climate change and are also engaging with the youth within the party. We have organized discussions at the local level and are currently conducting awareness campaigns. Moving forward, we will focus on policy-making as well,” he says. Gurung aims to bring climate issues to the party's central committee and work toward integrating them into the national policies in the House of Representatives.
Likewise, CPN-UML lawmaker Sunita Baral says that while climate change discussions are happening in Nepal, there is a lack of an integrated approach to addressing the country’s specific challenges and needs. “Various state institutions and organizations are working on this issue, but we have yet to create a unified program that clearly defines Nepal’s problems and priorities. While climate change is frequently raised in international forums, we still lack a coordinated national strategy,” she said.
Baral says that there is still a need to spread public awareness about climate change in Nepal. She thinks that everyone has heard the word climate change, but not everyone knows what impact it will have.
Issues that Nepal must raise at int’l forums
MP Sapkota emphasizes that Nepal has not done sufficient groundwork to effectively participate in international climate discussions. He points out that Nepal’s presence at COP-29 was weak, with the event often turning into a foreign trip for unnecessary delegates. He stresses the need for a unified national stance on climate change, ensuring that perspectives from the state to individual citizens align on this critical issue.
Sapkota highlights the importance of establishing a permanent structure for Nepal’s participation in regional and international climate programs. He calls for a long-term action plan, with expert representation in such forums, to prevent confusion over Nepal’s stance. He also underscores the need for deeper discussions on the Loss and Damage Fund, stronger regional and international diplomatic coordination, and alliances with nations facing similar climate challenges.
Nepal’s significant contribution to maintaining ecological balance—through national parks, conservation areas, and vast forest cover—should be a key discussion point in global forums. Sapkota suggests that Nepal should actively advocate climate finance and assistance in recognition of its role in preserving ecosystems and producing clean oxygen.
Likewise, Devkota says that Nepal needs to raise the issue with the world on the basis of priorities in international climate negotiations. He further says that Nepal has the opportunity to lead the mountain agenda well, saying that Nepal should raise three climate change issues in particular – one is the mountain issue. “The snow in our mountains is melting. The other is the issue of loss and damage. Countries like Nepal should assess the extent of damage caused by climate change and seek compensation for it. And thirdly, the issue of climate finance and justice should be raised. Our forests absorb the carbon emitted by industrialized countries. Nepal should be compensated for that,” he says.
‘We are campaigning on our behalf’
National Youth Council Vice-chairman Surendra Basnet says that he is working on the issue of climate change. Stating that many people are stuck on climate change while debating climate change in Nepal, he says that they are working on awareness-raising activities. He also reveals that the issue of climate change has been included as an important pillar in the new National Youth Policy 2081, which is being prepared. Similarly, he claims that work is being done to include this issue in the ‘Youth Vision 2025’ and the ‘Youth Vision 2035’ that is under discussion.
Similarly, he says that the youth council has also raised this issue through the Model Youth Parliament program that has been running. He further says that the program is being conducted with the issue of climate change as the main agenda in the Model Youth Parliament program, and that the council will also debate this issue in the Model United Nations Exercise program.
Likewise, Basnet says that there is no coordination and cooperation in such work from the government level – the council is working in the youth sector. “We are connecting with the youth on a daily basis. We are working on this issue, but the government does not prioritize us as much as it should. The government has not been able to ensure our participation to the extent possible,” he says.
Including youth from across the country
Dr Deepak Kumar Kharal, secretary of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, emphasizes the importance of inclusive participation in the United Nations Climate Change Conference. He says that addressing climate change requires the involvement of youth, organizations, and all sectors of society, as no single group or party can tackle the issue alone. The government, he says, has incorporated climate concerns into national reports and is organizing thematic discussions. However, he acknowledges the lack of a dedicated budget for youth-focused programs.
Kharal says that the youth who actively coordinate with the ministry are included in climate initiatives, with some attending COP-29 independently - all of this despite financial constraints. While not all youth can be accommodated, he assures that those engaged in climate advocacy are represented.
Kharal further says that the government currently lacks a structure to directly support youth participation in international climate events. However, the ministry facilitates coordination for those willing to attend independently. He also highlights that many young climate advocates secure funding through independent initiatives and external sources, often influencing government policies in the process.
