College Park, MD 20740
Abstract
Nepal is a Himalayan country where the rate of climate change has been among the highest in the world. Analysis of recent climatic trends reveals a significant warming trend with more than 1oC average maximum temperature rise in the last 30 years, over 350 deaths have occurred annually due to extreme weather events, and this rate is increasing due. There is growing evidence of widespread glacial retreat and water resource depletion, increased number of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF), changes in monsoon timing and weather patterns, losses in biodiversity and crop yield, disruption in ecosystem services, increase in disease outbreak etc. These stresses are already affecting economic performance and human well-being. The agricultural sector, crucial to the wellbeing of the vast majority of the population, is particularly sensitive to fluctuations in weather and climate.
The recently developed climate change scenarios for Nepal across
multiple general circulation models show considerable convergence on
continued warming, with country averaged mean temperature increase of
1.4 C, 2.8 C and 4.7 C projected by 2030s, 2060s and 2090s,
respectively. Future impacts associated with the projected temperature
rise are likely to be significant to make things more difficult because
of the complexity of Nepal’s interconnected physical and social
environments and its limited human, financial and institutional and
technological resources. For the given circumstances, adaptation to
climate change is viewed as an urgent action to build capacity to
response to the impact of climate change. The presentation gives an
overview of the climate change impacts in the Nepal Himalaya and
explores possible adaptation options.
About the Speaker
Dr. Adhikari is visiting the US (November 2010 to May 2011) as a Fulbright Scholar to undertake research on climate vulnerability and adaptation. Oregon Climate Change Research Institute (OCCRI) at Oregon State University is my host Institution and Prof. Phil Mote is my host researcher. I am an Associate Professor of geology at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, Nepal, and have a PhD in environmental sciences from Shinshu University in Japan, and a BSc and MSc in geology from Tribhuvan University. My research interest is climate impacts, vulnerability and adaptation in water resource, agriculture and infrastructure sectors.
Parking is free but a visitor parking permit is required. Please let Kim Swieringa (kim.swieringa@pnl.gov) know if you will be driving and need a visitor permit.
LOCATION: JGCRI, 5825 University Research Court (off of River Road), Suite 3500, College Park, MD 20740.
http://www.globalchange.umd.edu/
