Climate Change and Bhutan

The 21st issue of The Druk Journal looks at a problem that has long been a global concern and has received substantial publicity but drawn poor responses from countries that are most accountable. A GDP-driven world refuses to reverse destructive behavior that will reduce their profitability. Today, there are some signs of change, but not nearly enough.

In this scenario, Bhutan faces the dilemma of being proudly carbon-negative yet helplessly vulnerable to the threats posed by the deteriorating climatic imbalance. Bhutan’s voice in this discourse is as feeble as its fears are compulsive. And a country that can be a leading example of sustainable existence may be fighting for its survival against the powerful tide of consumerism.

Given the complexity of a situation that threatens the planet and humanity at large, The Druk Journal will focus on aspects of climate change in the eastern Himalayas that directly affect Bhutan. Bhutan can best understand and contribute to this formidable global situation with innovative responses of its own. The government needs to understand and take up its mandate and people need to understand the responsibilities of individual citizens and communities.

The Spring 2025 issue of The Druk Journal will sift through the vast volume of complex data and literature on climate change and broader environmental issues being produced by international agencies, countries, and individuals. We ask contributors for analytical, thought-provoking articles looking at the theme from different perspectives to get an in-depth understanding of the challenge that a small Himalayan kingdom grapples with.

The pragmatic wisdom of the elders who understood the patterns of the seasons needs to be understood in the context of scientific evidence available today. Just as a village elder is worried that the snow-clad mountain peaks are now brown, spring plants are appearing by winter, and the rain comes before or after the transplanting seasons, technology tells us that the recent years have been the hottest in history.

Civic Engagement Through the Druk Journal

For a start, Bhutan needs to define climate change – the concepts and terminology – from greenhouse gases to global warming, fossil fuels to carbon footprint. Bhutanese of all backgrounds and age groups, from government and civil society, need to develop a collective consciousness of the implications of living on the most scenic mountains that can become formidable terrain if they are exploited just for profit.

The intuitive knowledge of older people is not enough. We now have data to advise farmers through seasonal activities and help them understand the dry spells when they need rain and unexpected torrents that destroy their harvest. While we do not denigrate old beliefs that we may have incurred the wrath of deities resulting in natural disasters, we use the science that can forecast weather patterns and minimise crop destruction.

For example, Bhutanese scientists have already predicted that the worst glacial floods are yet to come. Bhutan has been attending COP meetings over the years. How is international interaction influencing Bhutan’s thinking and actions on climate change? How will Bhutan’s G-Zero initiative help bring global attention to the efforts of carbon-neutral countries?

Bhutan prioritises environmental conservation, a policy safeguarded by the Constitution. But the pressure escalates as Bhutan’s policy of Gross National Happiness (GNH) confronts the reality of a GDP world. The establishment of institutions such as the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) in 1987, the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation (BTFEC), Bhutan for Life (BFL), and now a growing number of civil society organisations provide opportunities to engage both citizens and government in the pursuit of common environmental conservation goals.

The Druk Journal will explore the challenges of remaining carbon neutral and maintaining ecological balance in a small landlocked country as climate change alarms the world. The journal invites articles to explore these issues in writing and join open conversations through the Druk Journal Conversations that follow each publication.

What is Bhutan doing to tackle disruptive forces head-on? Are the country’s environmental policies, plans, and strategies enabling people to cope with impending climate challenges? What innovations are being adopted to adapt to and mitigate climate forces? What role can the Bhutanese citizenry play in helping Bhutan be an environmental treasure in times to come? How is Bhutan integrating climate mitigation initiatives into a national transformation process that will see urbanisation and new cities, industrialisation, and agricultural planning for food sustainability? How do we remain carbon neutral?

Bhutan is poised to review its position as an environmental case study through the journal. The Druk Journal will provide a platform for Bhutanese conversation to delve further into the social, economic, and environmental narrative. The journal conversations will provide much-needed space to find the voice of Bhutanese citizens in key policy dialogues.

The Druk Journal inspired discourse will offer updates on the negative impact and positive developments in climate change activities and provide insights into the tensions of prioritising environmental governance. The 21st issue of The Druk Journal reminds society that climate change is a direct threat to sustainable governance and the well-being of all sentient beings.

Timeline

We call for contributions to the next issue of the Druk Journal on the theme of Climate Change and Bhutan

  1. Synopsis: Submit by first week of December 2024 – Submit your concept or synopsis (one or two paragraphs) to the editor, which will be reviewed, and sent back to the writer with feedback.
  2. First Draft: Submit by early January 2025. Start writing the first draft after receiving the synopsis review. Early drafts will have the advantage of more detailed comments. The editor reviews the first draft and sends it back to the writer for further improvement.
  3. Final Draft: Submit by first week of March 2025. The writer finalises the article with necessary editorial inputs and changes and submits it to the editor for final editing by mid of March 2024.
  4. Word Limit: 1,000-3,000 words (For research articles can go up to 4,500 words)
  5. Font: Adobe Caslon Pro

Note: Refer to our style guide thoroughly before writing to orient with the writing style of The Druk Journal.

Style Guide

The Druk Journal (TDJ) Style Guide

1. The structure of the journal

  •  The Theme: Each issue of TDJ will carry a theme that is contemporary, relevant, and important for Bhutan and Bhutanese society. It will be a journal of analytical, thought-provoking articles (between 1,500 and 3,000 words) looking at the theme from different perspectives. The length of research articles can be longer and determined in consultation with the editor.
  • Each issue will contain a mix of approaches to the theme: a section of serious articles on the theme; articles looking at similar issues in other countries; interviews and book reviews on the theme.

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