Week 1: Nepal
Kathmandu: The motor-heavy nightmare
People in the United States constantly complain about traffic.
Correctly so, too.
It's hard to see long, sprawling lines of cars clogging up highways and feel an incredible sense of somewhere between wonder and disappointment.
The average American spent around of 99 hours waiting in traffic pre-pandemic, and were it not for such a world-altering event, it likely would have gone much higher.
And while your typical citizen inched forward to their office job, their vehicle emitted 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide, causing cars to be the greatest contributor to the transportation sector's emissions. The US transportation sector then, in turn, holds the greatest single sector share of US emissions.
What does this have to do with Nepal?
While Nepal is nowhere near the massive polluter that the United States is, there is a potent connection to be drawn between the two nations.
For anyone who has been to Kathmandu, the motorization phenomena is readily apparent. Every road is filled with cars, buses, taxis, and above all else, motorbikes. It is impossible to avoid, and walking anywhere is an easy one-way ticket to getting honked at.
Even in religious locations like a monastery, places that should be a shelter from the modern world, the monks travel there via motorbike. It's an aspect that has thoroughly infused all aspects of Nepali life.
Should this trend continue, it is easy to see how the carbon footprint of Nepal will expand in step with its industrialization.
Although the question on how to reduce the emissions of the transportation sector is a hotly debated topic worldwide, the solution with the most benefits across the board has consistently been public transit.
Not only does it result in a 45% drop in carbon emissions, but it also allows for a significantly better highway experience, since there would be more people in subways or buses instead of in their own cars. Taken as a whole, an extensive public transit system would benefit citizens and governments alike, while simultaneously slashing a nation's contribution to climate change.
Shanghai, China
Madrid, Spain
Berlin, Germany
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Taken as a whole, the Nepali government should follow in the footsteps of many other nations and strive to provide a full alternative to motorcycles and highways with railways and other forms of public transit. The current Nepali system has been harshly criticized as overpriced and not widespread enough, not to mention that any buses on the road would be overly crowded and incredibly slow.
While it is certainly ideal for Nepal to have a clear, well-defined path towards an extensive system of public transit, it would be incredibly difficult. The massive earthquake in 2015 left large portions of the country in ruins, and many cultural sites remain under construction. If Nepal were able to receive international aid not only for disaster relief but to assist in creating resilient infrastructure, it would indicate a major step in the right direction against climate change.
Conclusion
The beauty of Nepal is very simply, difficult to overstate. A remarkable amount of history and different religions combine to create a cultural hub that has withstood the test of time. Even through natural disasters and political pressure, the country perseveres and prospers. Between the Darbar Square and both Buddhist and Hindi temples, there is no shortage of fascinating locations.
While it is nice to stare and marvel, the reality is that it is a beauty that can be easily shattered. As temperatures increase and conditions become even more unmanageable, action must be taken to preserve such a historical location.