THE SMALL EARTH NEPAL

Climate Workshop, more of an interactive capacity-building workshop commenced on 26th April 2023 at the United Nations House, Pulchowk in collaboration with The Small Earth Nepal (SEN), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Consortium for Capacity Building (CCB), Tribhuvan University (TU), and the Fulbright Specialist Program.

The event was an interactive session designed for early career professionals and students. This provided a more informal learning experience that allowed attendees to build a network, share ideas, and learn from the experts. Facilitators for this event were Dr. Michael H. Glantz (Director of CCB), Robert Jay Ross (CCB, Project Manager/Research Associate), Dr. Dhiraj Pradhananga (Assoc. Professor, TU; President of SEN and Chairholder of UNESCO Chair in Mountain Water Sustainability), Ms. Prakriti Gurung Science Officer and Team Lead of Natural Science Unit and Ms. Sijal Pokhrel, Natural Science Officer (UNESCO).

The workshop focused on the ‘Creeping’ Environmental Problems (CEPs), Early Warning Early Action (EWEA) in response to CEPs, and ways to cope with it for the globe and Nepal in particular. Dr. Glantz discussed how seemingly anthropogenic causes have a significant long-term effect on our planet. Likewise, he illustrated some possible societal responses once CEPs are identified and the ways that one can cope with such issues through the capacity process, awareness programs, and questioning. Furthermore, the gaps in the early response building of CEPs were highlighted. This includes not foreseeing the CEPs as an immediate threat due to the self-centered behavior of human beings towards nature and delay in responding.

Ms. Gurung, and Ms. Pokhrel, highlighted various initiatives undertaken by UNESCO to support science education and build scientific capacity. The event also had a session on SEN’s work in addressing environmental issues and sustainable development by forming a network of students, teachers, scientists, and societies. Both organizations talked about collaborating with stakeholders and forming environmental coalitions at regional and local levels to tackle environmental issues through capacity-building training and motivation.

This event wrapped up by forming six groups of participants to identify, discuss and present some of the major CEPs in Nepal which also allowed them to share their insights and ideas.