Pratima Sharma

Namaste! I am Pratima Sharma from Nepal, a country known for its stunning natural beauty, rich culture, and the resilience of its people. However, Nepal faces serious challenges from global warming and climate change, leading to floods and other disasters. As a child, I grew up watching the beauty of snow-capped mountains, but over time, I saw them lose their snow as climate change took its toll. Witnessing this, I felt a strong urge to understand the climate crisis and its impact on communities. This inspired me to study environmental sciences and pursue my career in climate justice, focused on protecting vulnerable communities and finding sustainable solutions to protect their lives and livelihoods.

I currently work as a Project Officer at Prakriti Resources Centre (PRC), an organization dedicated to climate justice in Nepal. My work centers around addressing the Loss and Damage caused by climate-induced disasters and supporting the resilience-building of vulnerable communities. A part of my work involves documenting the loss and damage in these communities and helping strengthen their ability to respond to future disasters.

What motivates me most is the incredible strength and resilience I see in these communities. Their determination to rebuild and adapt despite the hardships they face inspires me to keep advocating for fair and effective climate solutions, which I believe are crucial for a more sustainable and inclusive future.

With the JWH grant, I am deepening my understanding of climate change, climate resilience, and sustainable disaster risk management practices in vulnerable communities. I will be taking a Nature-Based Solutions for Disaster and Climate Resilience training course at the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. Additionally, the grant will allow me to refine my professional skills and build meaningful connections within the global climate community.

This journey will empower me to make a greater impact in tackling climate-induced challenges by creating sustainable solutions and supporting climate-vulnerable communities in fostering their resilience.

My dream for the future is to use my professional skills to create a world where vulnerable communities are empowered, resilient, and protected from the impacts of climate change through fair and sustainable solutions.