United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has underscored the urgency of addressing climate change as a top priority during his official visit to Nepal. The Secretary-General arrived in Nepal on Sunday for a four-day visit, during which he engaged in extensive discussions on the far-reaching impact of climate change on the nation.

In particular, Secretary-General Guterres expressed profound concern about the ongoing melting of the Himalayan mountain ranges, including the world's tallest peak, Mount Everest, due to the effects of global warming. On Monday, he made a visit to the Everest region and engaged in conversations with local communities whose lives have been profoundly affected by climate change in this area.

In his interactions with the local community of Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality-4, Secretary-General Guterres emphasized that the forthcoming 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-28) would center on the climate's impact on mountainous regions, along with the challenges and suggestions from the local population. He noted that wealthier nations bear a significant responsibility for the world's increasing pollution levels and lamented the adverse impact on remote areas like Khumbu Pasanglyamu Rural Municipality.

During his visit to the Annapurna base camp, Secretary-General Guterres reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Nepal in mitigating the consequences of climate change. He attributed the changing climate to the industrialized and developed nations, while highlighting the alarming decrease in snow cover in the Himalayan range as a consequence of global temperature rise. He called on wealthy and industrialized countries to adopt advanced technologies and measures to minimize climate change effects and implored them to contribute to Nepal's efforts to combat climate change.

As Nepal has consistently prioritized climate change issues in the Himalayan region during previous International Conferences on Climate (COP), the nation is well-prepared to raise pertinent questions and concerns at COP-28, slated to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12.

Dr. Birendra Prasad Mahato, Nepal's Minister of Forest and Environment, expressed optimism regarding Nepal's prospects at COP-28, noting that Secretary-General Guterres' focus on climate change during his visit would facilitate the nation's efforts to highlight its concerns. He commended the Secretary-General for acknowledging the escalating rates of mountain melting and pledged to support initiatives to bring the Himalayan issue to the forefront of global attention.

Joint Secretary Dr. Buddhisagar Paudel, head of the climate change management division of the Ministry of Forests, emphasized the increasing climate risk due to Nepal's sensitive topography. He highlighted the latest research, indicating that for every one-degree Celsius increase in global temperature, the Himalayan region of Nepal experiences an alarming 1.8-degree temperature rise.

Joint Secretary Paudel expressed optimism about Secretary-General Guterres' visit and his prioritization of climate change in all discussions, asserting that it would significantly bolster Nepal's advocacy on climate change's impact on the mountains at COP-28.

The region has experienced a worrisome temperature increase of 0.05 degrees Celsius per decade over the past three to four decades. Arunbhakt Shrestha, a senior climate change expert, stressed that this temperature rise has rapidly accelerated glacier melting in the area, making it an exceptionally sensitive issue.

Between 1980 and 2010, global warming led to a 25 percent reduction in glacier area. Dr. Shrestha underscored that even if global temperature increases are restricted to the 1.5-degree Celsius target outlined in the Paris Agreement, Nepal stands to lose one-third of its glacier volume by the end of this century.

"Climate change has also brought about an upsurge in heavy rains in highlands and the Himalayas, including previously rain-free regions. The repercussions of climate change in the Hindu Kush region will have direct and indirect effects on a quarter of the world's population," Dr. Shrestha explained.

Currently, Nepal has 21 lakes that are at potential risk. If 25 glaciers in China's Tibet and one glacier in India were to rupture, Nepal could face severe consequences. Nepal is home to 2,070 glaciers. Prajita Karki, president of Sathsathai, an organization working on climate change issues, highlighted the far-reaching implications of climate change in the Himalayan region on the entire regional economy and ecosystem.

President Karki emphasized, 'The ecological systems in the area, as well as those in the lower coastal regions, are profoundly affected, warranting global attention." She further  stated that the concept of climate justice, noting that women, children, and local communities are disproportionately affected by climate change. She asserted, "The world must be made aware of these effects. Secretary-General Guterres' visit to Nepal is expected to bolster efforts to spotlight this issue at the upcoming climate conference."

- Bhismaraj Ojha/RSS