Participatory tools and techniques for assessing climate change impacts and exploring adaptation options
Whist being a global issue, climate change is a major environmental and social challenge for Nepal. Throughout the country the effects are already being felt. Rural communities are seeing changes in rainfall patterns. The monsoon tends to begin later, the rainfall is more irregular and flash floods are more frequent. The winter rains are reduced and some years fail altogether. People are noticing that summers are hotter and winters generally less cold. Mountain communities are receiving less snowfall and seeing glaciers retreat. In the mid-hills water sources are drying up and in the plains people report greater flooding and unexpected cold waves. This tool kit is designed to help communities and planners understand the likely local hazards and risks of climate change and look at the vulnerability of their environment and livelihoods. It helps them to analyse exiting methods of coping and adapting and then develop plans to increase resilience.