KATHMANDU, MAY 22
In response to the escalating climate crisis affecting the Himalayan region, the Rotary Club of Kathmandu Mid-Town (RCKMT) has announced a major fundraising event titled 'An Evening for the Good Earth, scheduled for May 25 at the Soaltee Hotel, Kathmandu. The event aims to raise awareness and funds for community-based climate resilience initiatives across Nepal.
According to the club, the Himalayan region-spanning Nepal, India, Bhutan, China, and Pakistan-is witnessing some of the most dramatic effects of global climate change. According to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, global temperatures are projected to rise by 2.7°C by the end of the century. Alarmingly, the warming rate in the Himalayan region is more than double the global average.
The consequences are already visible. Himalayan glaciers are melting 65 per cent faster than in the previous decade, creating a cascade of environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Glaciers now retreat by up to 30 meters annually, and shrinking snow peaks are altering regional water cycles. Rivers that once flowed steadily have become erratic, leaving communities-long reliant on predictable seasons-in uncertainty.
"Glacial retreat, water insecurity, and biodiversity loss are no longer distant threats. They are current realities putting millions of lives and livelihoods at risk," a spokesperson from RCKMT stated.
"Key issues facing the region include rapid glacier retreat and shrinking snowpacks, impacting freshwater supplies; decreased river flows during dry seasons; increased landslides, floods, and avalanches; severe consequences for agriculture, tourism, and rural livelihoods; and disruption of fragile ecosystems and endangered species' migration patterns."
Acknowledging the urgency of the crisis, RCKMT has outlined a comprehensive, community-based strategy to build local resilience and provide critical relief to the most affected populations. With a long history in disaster response, the Club is planning projects that both reduce climate risks and equip vulnerable communities with tools for adaptation.
Key components of this long-term initiative include public awareness campaigns to educate communities on climate risks and adaptation; sustainable agriculture and land use practices to protect soil and food systems; climate-smart livelihood programs promoting eco-tourism, handicrafts, and diversified farming; and community-based disaster preparedness and relief measures.
The club has also launched a Natural Disaster Response Fund, which will benefit from proceeds raised during the May event. These funds will support both immediate disaster relief and long-term adaptation efforts in partnership with local governments, NGOs, and other Rotary Clubs.
An Evening for the Good Earth aims to be more than just an entertaining night-it will bring together around 300 leaders, change-makers, and philanthropists united by a shared mission. Guests can expect gourmet dining, live performances, and special highlights, all in support of a greener, more resilient Nepal.
Private companies and individual donors are invited to sponsor the event. In return, sponsors will gain brand visibility, valuable networking opportunities, and the chance to demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability.
"This is an opportunity for businesses and philanthropists alike to step forward and become champions of climate resilience in Nepal," the club emphasised in a statement.
