Child voices: children of Nepal speak out on climate change adaptation

New research by Children in a Changing Climate, led by IDS, shows that children living in poor areas of Nepal understand the need to change their lives and the livelihoods of their families in response to climate change. Moreover, they have already started doing so and can identify the types of support they need to better cope with climate change impacts.

In 2008 Children in a Changing Climate’s research programme worked with ActionAid Nepal, and its partner organisations, to help poor children in the plains, hills and urban areas of Nepal make short films about how climate change is being experienced by their communities. Making these films allowed the children to explore how the changing climate is impacting them and their families, how they are coping and what they need in order to adapt to a changing climate. This report is based on the findings of the participatory video project and additional research with children in the project communities.

This report aims to provide an opportunity for children from three geographically diverse areas of Nepal to speak for themselves on their climate change adaptation needs. It does not claim that the children interviewed represent all the children of Nepal, but this report offers an opportunity for an international audience to hear their perspectives on their climate change adaptation needs.