China’s Mother River at Risk
In October 2005 a climate campaigner, glaciologist from China
Academy of Sciences, videographer, Qinghai guide/cook, two
drivers, an assistant and a photographer (myself), spent two weeks
documenting environmental impacts at the source of the Yellow
River on the Tibet - Qinghai Plateau also known as the Third Pole.
During our two weeks tour we witnessed an environment in
rapid transition, impacting, the landscape, people and wildlife,
in what appeared to be a ‘dress rehearsal’ for what was to
become, globally. The Tibet - Qinghai Plateau, where tradition
and geography had been largely untouched for centuries would
soon be radically changed forever.
Our story includes pastureland turning to desert, glaciers
collapsing and disappearing, major river drought, dried lakes and
the end of the century’s old Tibetan nomad.
After the tour the Chinese media took moderate interest in the
story., Reports were made for Greenpeace and interested NGO’s.
Social Media was just emerging, and Climate Change was still
misunderstood and not yet a global concern.
