Introduction
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CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background The phenomenon of climate change is generally understood as a long term significant change in the average weather patterns of the region or the earth as a whole. It mainly involves changes in the variability or average state of the temperature, precipitation and wind patterns over durations ranging from decades to millions of years. UNFCCC defines it as 'a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere'. Today the world is experiencing climate change and there is the scientific consensus that the increase in the Green House Gas concentrations in the atmosphere has caused to global climate change. Nepal's average temperature is rising at the - C per annum between 1977 and 1994 with a higher rate in mountain century. In addition to increase in extreme temperature, weather has been observed changing in recent years. Because of the extreme temperature, there has been change in weather conditions. Number of monsoon days has been shortening, with early onset and late withdrawal, and the intensity of monsoon rain has shown increasing trend (Gurung and Bhandari 2009). Livelihood of third world's people has been changing and threatening from climate change. The term climate change is often used interchangeably with the term global warming but according to the National Academy of Sciences the phrase 'climate change' is growing in preferred use to 'global warming' because it helps to convey meaning of other terms related to climate change in addition to rising temperatures. Climate change refers to any significant change in measures of climate (such as temperature, precipitation or wind) lasting for an extended period, decade or longer. Sudden and unexpected change in weather or season is known as climate change. Climate change is being seen as one of the most serious challenges faced by civilization. It is the biggest threat of the 21st century. Climate change is expected to have serious environmental, economic and social impact on South Asia in particular where livelihood of rural people depends on the use of natural 1 resources are likely to bear the brunt of its adverse impacts (ICIMOD, 2009). Climate variability in the fragile ecosystem had threatened the livelihood of rural people. The most vulnerable population to climate change and variability has been rural communities with few resources to cope with extreme weather events like landslides, erosion and drought. The variation of topography brings out the diversity on climate. The livelihood pattern varies according to the socio-cultural and economic status of the people which is determined by the environment. All the human activities are related to the environment. Environment determined by its own factors like temperature, humidity, rainfall, etc. Nepal is susceptible to disasters including flash flood, GLOF, and the melting of snow in the mountains and droughts and inundation in the Terai (Malla, 2008). Emissions from burning fossil fuels and land use changes have emitted large quantity of Green House Gas (GHGs) in the earth`s atmosphere. Global GHGs emissions due the human interventions have increased with 70% from 1970 to 2004 (IPCC, 2007). The Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change also reported that human activities have changed the Earth surface and atmospheric T E ‟ (IP 2013). Increase in average global temperature (global warming), change in cloud cover and precipitation mainly over, melting of ice caps and glaciers and reduced snow cover, increase in ocean temperature and ocean acidity are the main characteristics of climate change (UNFCCC, 2007). In recent decades, changes in climate have caused impacts on natural and human systems in all continents and across the oceans. Impacts are due to observed climate change, irrespective of its cause, indicating the sensitivity of natural and human systems to changing climate. Livelihood in general term refers to ' a means of earning in order to live'. People mainly use tangible, intangible and economic resources to run day to day activities. A livelihood comprises of capabilities, assets (stores, resources, claims and access) and activities required for a living. A livelihood is sustainable which can cope with and recover from stress and shocks, maintains or enhance its capabilities and assets and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for the next generation; and which contributes net benefits to other livelihood at the local and global levels in short and long term (Chamber and Conway, 1992). A livelihood is sustainable when it can cope with and recovery from stresses and shocks and maintain or enhance it capabilities and assets both now and in the future while not condemning the natural resource base (DFID, 2001). People have 2 adjusted their way of earning livelihood strategies to adapt the changing environmental condition differ to over spare and by social groups cultural values of people in the same space can create difference in the pattern of adaptation from one ethnic group to another (Subedi and Pandey,2002). The significant role of adaption as a policy response by government has been recognized internationally. Article 4.1b of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) stated that parties are committed to formulate and implement national and regional programs containing measures to mitigate climate change and measures to facilitate adequate adaption to climate change. Various studies in Nepal indicate that rural societies have adapted to climate change effects using their knowledge and experiences, basically by changing agriculture pattern, changing land uses, shifting settlements and other adjustments in their economics and life styles (Subedi, 1993). Such valuable knowledge still exists in rural communities and only a few of those are documented while rests are in the threat of extinction. Nepal has prepared its National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) for adapting to extreme climate events and variability through an extensive country driven consultative process. The document was shared with parties to the UNFCCC in November 2010. Nepal has also prepared a national framework for Local Adaptation Plan for Action (LAPA) with the twin objective of implementing adaption action and integrating climate change into local development, planning and implementation. The impact of climate change is much greater for indigenous communities living in remote and ecologically fragile zone–those relying directly on their immediate environment for subsistence and livelihood (UNFCCC, 2004). Agriculture, forestry, water and energy, health, urban and infrastructures; tourism, industry and overall livelihood and economy are different sensitive sectors to climate change in Nepal (MOE, 2010). Thus, climate change is growing issue putting the rural livelihood and economy at risk and this needs a timely assessment with mosaic views. This research aims to observe the impact of climate change in the livelihood of the local people residing in Lamjung district. 1.2 Statement of Problem Nepal's share in climate change is very small. The population of Nepal is less than 0.4 percent of the world's population. Nepal is responsible for only about 0.025 percent of 3 annual GHGs emission (NAPA/ MOE, 2010). The climate of the country depends on the South Asian Monsoon which has close relationship with the livelihood of the local by controlling their social and economic well-being. Nepal is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. Temperatures are likely to increase more in high mountains than elsewhere (Shrestha et al 1999). Glaciers and snow fed are reducing the level of snow so that water resources are also reducing which leads to the dry condition for the country which results in the effect on irrigation, drinking water and hydropower plant. Likewise receding glaciers often leave behind growing glacier lakes that can break through terminal moraines causing catastrophic floods. Global climate change will also likely shift monsoon precipitation patterns in ways that will threaten country's current agricultural practices, infrastructures, biodiversity and whole livelihood of people. As we know that Nepalese livelihood is based on agriculture, if agriculture is affected then two-third of the labor force in the rural areas of Nepal will also be affected and a great problem of food insecurity will be seen as a result of climate change (Pant, 2012). In order to improve the ability of communities and household to adjust for ongoing climate change we need improved understanding of the risks they are facing. Estimating possible adaptation is essential to climate change impact and vulnerability assessment. Therefore, assessing the potential climate change impacts on livelihood is urgently needed for the survival of rural community where nature based activities is the main sources of livelihood. The specific research questions are as follows: What is the trend of temperature and precipitation and how they are changing in the study area? How climate change is affecting livelihood and what are the people's perception towards the impact of climate change? How the people are responding to climate change and what are the mitigation and adaptation measures adapted by them? 1.3 Objective Climate change is one of the greatest challenges in the 21st century. Its effects are seen in various aspects. The livelihood of the people is affected by the climate change. This research aims to study the impact of climate change on livelihood at local level and how the people are managing to adapt to the changes. The specific objectives of the study are as follows: 4 To examine the pattern and trend of climate change in Lamjung. To assess local people's perception and experience of climate change and its impact on their livelihood To analyze the climate change responses and the measures adapted by local people to maintain their livelihood 1.4 Rationale of the Study Climate change is emerging issue in the world, which is one of the greatest threats to environment conservation and living security.