Abstract ID: 3.11107 | Accepted as Talk | Requested as: Talk | TBA | TBA

Everest and climate change: Problems and Prospects
The history of Nepal’s mountain tourism started with the first ascent of Everest on 29 May 1953 and played pivotal role in the economic benefit of the mountain people, but now, global warming and climate change have emerged as a matter of great concern to all of us. As per the report of Nature Portfolio Journal Climate and Atmospheric Science, the ice that took 2,000 years to form has melted in around 25 years as the Nepal side of the peak continues to lose decades’ worth of ice every year. Presently, all the expedition groups use diesel generators for the production of energy for cooking food, light and charging of the electronic devices. During the production of energy, it also emits harmful gasses like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide into the pristine environment of the base camp. The speed of melting snow on the mountain causing the formation of glacial lakes in numerous places remain as a serious threat with the possibility to burst anytime resulting in the avalanche. In addition, the melting of ice is causing the garbage, dead bodies to be surfaced above making uncomfortable for the mountaineers while climbing.The Secretary General of UN in 2023 while visiting the Everest BC remarked- “Stop the madness,” and emphasized to end the age of fossil fuel to protect people on the frontline of climate change induced destruction. The fossil energy produces carbon dioxide, which is the primary source of pollution. It also makes the environment more acidic, which will lead to unpredictable and negative changes in the environment. For the preservation of mountain environment and to slower the speed of change in climate, it is an urgent need of time to seek alternate source of energy. In such situation, renewable energy can be reliable source of energy since its increase in the consumption results in the decrease of the production of carbon dioxide. Mountaineering tourism can be sustainable only when we can reduce the effect of climate change with minimum use of fossil energy and maximum use of renewable energy.