Glaciers in Retreat at Mount Everest
The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming. A Greenpeace investigation team at Mount Everest bear witness to melting glaciers and the consequences happening in the region.
The road between Tingris and Rongbuk Temple. A climate scientific team are in Tibet to study and document the deterioration of glaciers on Everest and the environmental implications of glacier melt. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
Arrival of team at China (Everest) Base camp
A composite image from the western side of the Middle Rongbuk glacier.
The viewpoint is approximately 1 km from the site of the 1968 original photo. A climate scientific team were unable to reach the 1968 site to make an exact comparison owing to the rapid deterioration and collapse of the mountain side. The degradation of the Everest environment and glacial retreat is, Greenpeace believes, a direct result of climate change. The Rongbuk glaciers are a water source to the major rivers of China and India and put millions at risk if water sources disappear. The Middle Rongbuk glacier has retreated 2 km over the last 40 years.
Top Photo: 1968 Middle Rongbuk glacier, Everest, Himalayas, Tibet, China (5800m)
©courtesy of Science Press, China.
Bottom photo: 28 April 2007 Middle Rongbuk glacier, Everest, Himalayas, Tibet, China (5800m) ©Greenpeace/John Novis
A view of Mount Everest from the Rongbuk Temple. The top of the mountain peak still catches sunlight whilst the valley below sleeps in darkness. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
A view of Mount Everest from the Rongbuk Temple. The top of the mountain peak still catches sunlight whilst the valley below sleeps in darkness. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
Mount Everest taken from Rongbuk Temple camp. A climate scientific team are in Tibet to study and document the deterioration of glaciers on Everest and the environmental implications of glacier melt. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
Mount Everest taken from Rongbuk Temple camp. A climate scientific team are in Tibet to study and document the deterioration of glaciers on Everest and the environmental implications of glacier melt. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
Greenpeace team member at Rongbuk Temple camp where the team are camped. Mount Everest is visible in the distance. A climate scientific team are in Tibet to study and document the deterioration of glaciers on Everest and the environmental implications of glacier melt. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
View of Himalayas including Mount Everest. The Middle Rongbuk glacier is warming up as an effect of climate change and its waters are retreating. It is estimated that The Middle Rongbuk has deteriorated by 2km over the last 40 years. Those who depend on the glacier river as a water source have reported to Greenpeace that the once abundant river is now dry for most of the year.
A panorama photo of the Himalayas including Mount Everest. The Middle Rongbuk glacier is warming up as an effect of climate change and its waters are retreating. It is estimated that The Middle Rongbuk has deteriorated by 2km over the last 40 years. Those who depend on the glacier river as a water source have reported to Greenpeace that the once abundant river is now dry for most of the year.
Mount Everest taken from Rongbuk Temple camp. Greenpeace are in Tibet to study and document the deterioration of glaciers on Everest and the environmental implications of glacier melt. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
A Greenpeace climber acclimatise to the 5,000 meter altitude at Everest Base Camp.
A Greenpeace investigation team at Mount Everest bear witness to melting glaciers which are most probably caused by climate change. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
A Greenpeace climber acclimatise to the 5,000 meter altitude at Everest Base Camp.
A Greenpeace investigation team at Mount Everest bear witness to melting glaciers which are most probably caused by climate change. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
A panorama photo of the Middle Rongbuk Glacier at Mount Everest to record glacier melt. This particular glacier is warming up as an effect of climate change and its waters are retreating. It is estimated that The Middle Rongbuk has deteriorated by 2km over the last 40 years. Those who depend on the glacier river as a water source have reported to Greenpeace that the once abundant river is now dry for most of the year.
A panorama photo of the Middle Rongbuk Glacier at Mount Everest to record glacier melt. This particular glacier is warming up as an effect of climate change and its waters are retreating. It is estimated that The Middle Rongbuk has deteriorated by 2km over the last 40 years. Those who depend on the glacier river as a water source have reported to Greenpeace that the once abundant river is now dry for most of the year.
A view to the south of Everest Base Camp where we see the deterioration of the Middle Rongbuk glacier. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
A view to the south of Everest Base Camp where we see the deterioration of the Middle Rongbuk glacier. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
A panorama photo of the Middle Rongbuk Glacier at Mount Everest to record glacier melt. This particular glacier is warming up as an effect of climate change and its waters are retreating. It is estimated that The Middle Rongbuk has deteriorated by 2km over the last 40 years. Those who depend on the glacier river as a water source have reported to Greenpeace that the once abundant river is now dry for most of the year.
A view to the south of Everest Base Camp where we see the deterioration of the Middle Rongbuk glacier. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
A panorama photo of the Middle Rongbuk Glacier at Mount Everest to record glacier melt. This particular glacier is warming up as an effect of climate change and its waters are retreating. It is estimated that The Middle Rongbuk has deteriorated by 2km over the last 40 years. Those who depend on the glacier river as a water source have reported to Greenpeace that the once abundant river is now dry for most of the year.
View south to Everest and the tongue of the Middle Rongbuk Glacier. The retreat and deterioration of this glacier is clearly evident. A Greenpeace investigation team at Mount Everest bear witness to melting glaciers which are most probably caused by climate change. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
A view to the south of Everest Base Camp where we see the deterioration of the Middle Rongbuk glacier. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
A panorama photo of the Middle Rongbuk Glacier at Mount Everest to record glacier melt. This particular glacier is warming up as an effect of climate change and its waters are retreating. It is estimated that The Middle Rongbuk has deteriorated by 2km over the last 40 years. Those who depend on the glacier river as a water source have reported to Greenpeace that the once abundant river is now dry for most of the year.
A Greenpeace climber acclimatise to the 5,000 meter altitude at Everest Base Camp.
A Greenpeace investigation team at Mount Everest bear witness to melting glaciers which are most probably caused by climate change. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
A Greenpeace team camps at Mount Everest to record glacier melt. This particular glacier is warming up as an effect of climate change and its waters are retreating. It is estimated that The Middle Rongbuk has deteriorated by 2km over the last 40 years. Those who depend on the glacier river as a water source have reported to Greenpeace that the once abundant river is now dry for most of the year.
China Mobile at base prior to the Beijing Olympics with Mount Everest in view
A Greenpeace climber acclimatise to the 5,000 meter altitude at Everest Base Camp.
A Greenpeace investigation team at Mount Everest bear witness to melting glaciers which are most probably caused by climate change. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
View of Himalayas including Mount Everest. The Middle Rongbuk glacier is warming up as an effect of climate change and its waters are retreating. It is estimated that The Middle Rongbuk has deteriorated by 2km over the last 40 years. Those who depend on the glacier river as a water source have reported to Greenpeace that the once abundant river is now dry for most of the year.
View south from Everest Base Camp with melt water from the middle Rongbuk Glacier. Greenpeace travels to Everest to document the deterioration of the glaciers in the area. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
View south from Everest Base Camp with melt water from the middle Rongbuk Glacier. Greenpeace travels to Everest to document the deterioration of the glaciers in the area. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
Tibetan guide, Bimbar with Greenpeace at base camp, Mount Everest, about the effects of climate change that he has witnessed. He has seen a deterioration in the Rongbuk Glacier and a noticeable drop in water levels with rising temperatures and dry conditions. over the last few years.The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
Two Figures return from the fields at Rongbuk Temple
A team member cuts meat while other members bury and freeze the meat in the snow at the Everest Base Camp.
A climate scientific team at Mount Everest bear witness to melting glaciers which are most probably caused by climate change. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
Team members prepare food in the 'kitchen' tent at the Everest Base Camp. A climate scientific team are in Tibet to study and document the deterioration of glaciers on Everest and the environmental implications of glacier melt. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
Greenpeace members and Tibetan mountain guides display banners at Mount Everest which read 'Protect our Water Source, Stop Global Warming' Banners are displayed by a glacier melt along the path of the Middle Rongbuk Glacier which the team are here to investigate. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
Greenpeace members and Tibetan mountain guides display banners at Mount Everest which read 'Protect our Water Source, Stop Global Warming' Banners are displayed by a glacier melt along the path of the Middle Rongbuk Glacier which the team are here to investigate. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
Greenpeace China activist Zhong Yu shows a photo of the Middle Rongbuk Glacier taken in 1968 to the camera to illustrate the 2km retreat and deterioration of the glacier in just under 40 years.
A Greenpeace investigation team at Mount Everest bear witness to melting glaciers which are most probably caused by climate change. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
Greenpeace China activist Zhong Yu shows a photo of the Middle Rongbuk Glacier taken in 1968 to the camera to illustrate the 2km retreat and deterioration of the glacier in just under 40 years.
A Greenpeace investigation team at Mount Everest bear witness to melting glaciers which are most probably caused by climate change. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
Detail of the collapse of the Middle Rongbuk Glacier. The glacier has retreated and deteriorated by 2km over the last 40 years.
A Greenpeace investigation team at Mount Everest bear witness to melting glaciers which are most probably caused by climate change. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
A Buddhist Monk stands with Mt. Everest in the background. The water in a bucket is raised in a gesture to symbolize the loss of water from the region.
A climate scientific team investigation team at Mount Everest bear witness to melting glaciers which are most probably caused by climate change. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
Greenpeace members and Tibetan mountain guides display banners at Mount Everest which read 'Protect our Water Source, Stop Global Warming' Banners are displayed by a glacier melt along the path of the Middle Rongbuk Glacier which the team are here to investigate. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
The Rongbuk Temple near Mount Everest. Buddhist prayer flags are hung from the roof of the temple, adding a splash of colour to the scenery. A monk stands in the entrance to the building and yaks sleep by the door. A climate scientific team are in Tibet investigating the retreat of the Middle Rongbuk Glacier, Mount Everest (Qomolangma). The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
The Rongbuk Temple near Mount Everest. Buddhist prayer flags are hung from the roof of the temple, adding a splash of colour to the scenery. A climate scientific team are in Tibet investigating the retreat of the Middle Rongbuk Glacier, Mount Everest (Qomolangma). The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
Portrait of a Buddhist monk outside of his cell at Rongbuk Temple.
A climate scientific team at Mount Everest bear witness to melting glaciers which are most probably caused by climate change. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
The Rongbuk Temple near Mount Everest. Buddhist prayer flags are hung from the roof of the temple, adding a splash of colour to the scenery. A monk stands in the entrance to the building and yaks sleep by the door. A climate scientific team are in Tibet investigating the retreat of the Middle Rongbuk Glacier, Mount Everest (Qomolangma). The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
A dog rests at the Rongbuk Temple near Mount Everest. A climate scientific team are in Tibet investigating the retreat of the Middle Rongbuk Glacier, Mount Everest (Qomolangma). The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
Shelkar Chode Monastery, Tingris county
Accommodation area at the Rongbuk Temple near Mount Everest. A climate scientific team e are in Tibet investigating the retreat of the Middle Rongbuk Glacier, Mount Everest (Qomolangma). The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
Filming the arrival of the climate scientific team at Rongbuk Temple base camp where the team are camped. Mount Everest is visible in the distance. Greenpeace are in Tibet to study and document the deterioration of glaciers on Everest and the environmental implications of glacier melt. The Rongbuk Glaciers are one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India. Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of global warming.
