We Didn’t Learn the Word, But We’re Living the Crisis

Photo : Dr. Manjurul Karim Nepal is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. Our rugged mountains, monsoon-fed rivers, reliance on natural resources for daily living, and unplanned development have all made us vulnerable. Now, with global climate change accelerating, that vulnerability is only growing. Temperatures are rising. Rainfall patterns are becoming increasingly erratic. Air pollution is worsening. Glaciers are melting faster, swelling glacial lakes to dangerous levels and increasing the risk of sudden floods. The signs of climate change are no longer distant; they are here, and they are affecting us now. We're seeing more intense rainfall in shorter periods and longer stretches without any rain. These extremes have caused frequent and severe disasters. Our water sources are drying up, impacting everything from food security and drinking water to biodiversity, public health, and energy supply. Infrastructure, hydropower, urban development, and even agricultur...