Renowned mountaineer Apa Sherpa reached the summit of Mount Everest today for a record-breaking 19th time, carrying with him a WWF banner that urged global action against climate change.

The banner, which he unfurled at approximately 0800 local time, carried the message: “Stop Climate Change – Let the Himalayas Live!”

This expedition serves as a powerful reminder to world leaders of their responsibility to protect the Himalayas, a region of immense global significance, and calls for a unified international agreement to combat climate change at the upcoming Copenhagen Climate Summit in December.

James Leape, Director General of WWF International, emphasized, “Climate change is already having severe consequences in the Himalayas, with glaciers across the range retreating rapidly.” He noted that some scientific projections suggest the glaciers could vanish within 25 years if climate change remains unaddressed. Such outcomes would not only endanger the lives of local communities and the region’s rich biodiversity but would also jeopardize the development prospects of hundreds of millions of people living downstream.

In addition to the WWF banner, Apa Sherpa placed a Bumpa, a sacred vase blessed by the Venerable Rinpoche of Tengboche, at the summit. The Bumpa, which contains 400 sacred ingredients, was intended to symbolically restore the sanctity of the Himalayan beyul (sacred valleys) in the face of escalating environmental threats.

Commending Apa’s efforts, Mr. Ganesh Sah, Nepal’s Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, stated, “The health of the Himalayas is vital for Nepal’s economic development. Only through collective effort can we effectively convey this critical message to the global community.”

Having spent decades navigating the Himalayas, Apa Sherpa has personally witnessed the dangerous and visible impacts of climate change, and has himself been directly affected by its devastating consequences.

Apa participated in the climb as part of the Eco Everest Expedition, led by Dawa Steven Sherpa, a two-time Everest summiteer and a committed advocate for climate action who also serves as a WWF Climate Witness.

Anil Manandhar, WWF Nepal Country Representative, acknowledged their contributions, stating, “WWF commends the dedication of Apa and Dawa for bringing the message of climate change to the highest point on Earth and serving as ambassadors for WWF’s Climate for Life campaign. The moment has arrived for the world to refocus its attention on the Himalayas.”