Friday, 22 May 2009

Apa Sherpa carries Climate Change message on his record 19th ascent to Everest

Sometime people ask me what they can do for the planet… I think people should focus on what they are passionate about… There are many ways, one quite amazing and spectacular that I got today is Apa… I think we all can use what he’s done as inspiration. For all those who work with solutions it is also good to be reminded about the consequences of climate change. Taking the lead in saving the climate is not a 9 to 5 job....


See press release from WWF Nepal below…
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Kathmandu, Nepal – The WWF message – "Stop Climate Change, Let the Himalayas Live!" was carried to the top of the world by Apa Sherpa on his record 19th summit to the peak, reminding the world of its responsibility towards preserving this global heritage.

Apa Sherpa is one of the best persons to deliver this message to the world, having witnessed firsthand the changing landscape of the Himalayas in the wake of climate change during his decades of mountaineering experience, and having been a victim personally of its disastrous consequences.

At the summit, Apa also installed a Bumpa (sacred vase) personally blessed by the Venerable Rinpoche of Tengboche (Buddhist spiritual leader), containing 400 different sacred ingredients intended to restore the sanctity of the Himalayan beyul (sacred valleys) against negative impacts of rapid environmental changes.

Congratulating WWF and Apa on their efforts, Mr. Ganesh Sah, Nepal's Minister for Environment, Science and Technology said, "The well being of Himalayas is crucial for economic development of Nepal." "It's only by coming together we can deliver this message emphatically to the world."

Apa carried the WWF Banner during the Eco Everest Expedition. The expedition is led by two-time Everest Summiteer Dawa Steven Sherpa, a passionate advocate of climate change issues and also a WWF Climate Witness.

Mr. Anil Manandhar, Country Representative, WWF Nepal said, " WWF salutes the efforts of Apa and Dawa for taking the climate change message to the top of the world and being ambassadors for WWF's Climate for Life campaign." "Now, the time has come for the world to redirect its attention towards the Himalayas."