--Apologies for cross-posting---
Communities Challenging Climate Change
(Case studies from Nepal : communities’ understanding and adaptation
for climate change)
by Madan Koirala and Ranjana Bhatta
Published by the Community Radio Support Center (CRSC)/ Nepal Forum of
Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ)
with Support from Free Voice (The Netherlands), 2010
Full publication available at
http://www.nefej.org/pdf/climate_change_book_final.pdf
Abstract from the foreword, by Om Khadka
Climate change is a raging issue today. While Nepal, of course, has not
contributed to the menace, it is a victim nonetheless. Reports have
come up with instances of the farming communities facing adverse impact
in Nepal too.
Unpredictable rain pattern and equally surprising rise and fall in
temperatures have been reported. Of course, conclusive scientific
evidence may still said to be missing. But that does not in any way
rule out facing adverse impact.
Meanwhile there is a need to raise awareness among the general public
by way of relating global warming and resultant climate change so that
the concerned section of population grow aware on the issue and think
of mitigating their lot.
But that can be possible only after they know the problems are real
before they can be explained the solution in what could be a positive
contribution towards mitigating efforts whereby communities combat
climate change.
That incidentally was undertaken by Community Radio Support Center
(CRSC) under Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ) under
which it implemented five pilot project areas aimed at assessing the
local impact of global warming by going back to communities. The aim of
the project was to examine the outcome when community radio and local
NGOs undertake joint actions to enhance understanding of the
communities on complex issue like climate change and also adapt to the
adverse impact. The studies conducted by five local Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs) and equal number of community radio stations in
the respective project areas come in the form of a
baseline on the local impact of global climate change and how best to
cope with changing climatic conditions. The content which appear in
this publication suggest that farming communities are feeling the
adverse impact of climate change.
The importance of the publication lies in the fact that it will be of
use to organizations working in the area of climate change and
adaptation and policymakers alike. We are confident that it will be
useful for researchers to base their studies on.