Paper short abstract:

Research examines the impacts of climate change and opportunities for adaptation in the Himalaya using a holistic approach. The climate sensitive social-ecosystems are exposed to and affected by both climatic stressors, communities’ adaptation efforts are limited so the social-ecosystems are vulnerable

Paper long abstract:

This research examines the implications of climate change on the social-ecosystems of the Kaligandaki Basin, Nepali Himalaya using a holistic approach of explaining human-environmental interaction and integrated methodologies of climate science and social sciences. The research has important implications for integrated adaptation policy in Nepal. Primary data on impacts and adaptation responses were collected through face-to-face interviews with household heads from 360 households, 24 focus group discussions, 7 historical timeline calendars, 75 key informant interviews, and 9 crop calendar sketches. The findings reveal that the social-ecological systems of the Himalaya are highly sensitive to both climatic and non-climatic stressors and are increasingly exposed to climate change. The changing climate has negatively impacted the social-ecological systems of the basin. Consequently, many local communities are trapped in a situation of multiple livelihood constraints associated with ecological, economic, social and political environments. To reduce the negative implications of change, people are trying to adopt various strategies and the communities demonstrate significant adaptation knowledge. However such knowledge is not sufficiently translated into adaptation actions and many households are losing hope of agricultural adaptation. The poor quality of livelihood capitals; increasing climate change impacts; and poor adoption of adaptation strategies together have significant negative implications for local food and livelihood security. Consequently, the social-ecosystem of the Kaligandaki Basin is vulnerable that requires integrated public policy response with adoption of the strategy that supports the most vulnerable social-ecosystem the first.