Back to news
14 Jul 2020 | News

A new high for HKH research: Our partnership with National Geographic Society

1 min Read

70% Complete
Bringing HKH into the limelight
Tenzing Inka Nat Geo 2019 Heather Clifford
Bringing HKH into the limelight
Bringing HKH into the limelight
Tenzing Inka Nat Geo 2019 Heather Clifford 2

Photograph #1

A street performer around Bath Abbey.

Photograph #2

A street performer around Bath Abbey.

Photograph #3

A street performer around Bath Abbey.

Photograph #4

A street performer around Bath Abbey.

In 2019, National Geographic Society (NGS) undertook an expedition to Everest which included ICIMOD among a number of partners. This expedition included work on the highest glacier in world, Khumbu glacier, where ice samples were collected and multiple scientific research projects were conducted. Significantly adding to data availability, the expedition also involved the installation of five automatic weather stations (AWS) on Everest, with the highest installed at “The Balcony” at 8430m and the “South Col” 7945m. The AWS on The Balcony is now officially the highest AWS in the world.

We contributed to the NGS comprehensive map of Asia’s vital rivers building on scientific work to develop the first ever Water Tower Index. This collaboration with NGS complemented ICIMOD’s long-term effort of drawing much-needed global attention to climate change impacts in the HKH. It has also resulted in a range of communication products which will help highlight the value and vulnerability of the region.

Multiple academic papers are expected be published based on the data and information from the expedition. The July issue of National Geographic Magazine and the National Geographic TV Channel have featured the expedition. In addition, footage and photographs from the expedition are also being used to create educational materials, where ICIMOD researchers Inka Koch and Tenzing Sherpa are featured explaining AWS networks and how mapping helps us understand glacier and other environmental change in the region.

Here are some links to what has come out of this partnership so far:

Mapping change at the roof of the world
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/mapping-change-roof-world/

Inside the Everest expedition that built the world’s highest weather station https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/2019/06/mount-everest-highest-weather-station/

Asia’s Vital Rivers
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2020/07/asias-vital-rivers-perpetual-feature/

The world’s supply of fresh water is in trouble as mountain ice vanishes https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/12/water-towers-high-mountains-are-in-trouble-perpetual/  (See also, Importance and vulnerability of the world’s water towers: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1822-y)

How alpine species are adapting to climate change https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/2020/06/perpetual-planet-nepal-alpine-species/

National Geographic Perpetual Planet
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/perpetual-planet/

Stay current

Stay up to date on what’s happening around the HKH with our most recent publications and find out how you can help by subscribing to our mailing list.

Sign Up
15 Nov 2016 News
New Publication: Climate Change Impacts on Upper Indus Basin Hydrology

The Indus is one of the most meltwater-dependent rivers on earth. It hosts a large, rapidly growing population, and the ...

22 Jun 2017 News
Hashoo Foundation and ICIMOD Partner for Sustainable Mountain Development

The two organizations will work jointly to engage in programmes of mutual interest and mobilize resources and expertise. They will ...

5 Apr 2016 News
China and ICIMOD’s Growing Alliance

Strategic Cooperation between NSFC and ICIMOD The bilateral workshop ‘NSFC-ICIMOD Strategic Cooperation’ was held 31 March - 1 April following a ...

24 Nov 2017 Himalica
Pioneering an Innovative Approach to Tourism Development in Munlai Para, Bandarban

The initiative was conceived in December 2016 when partners representing ICIMOD, the Support to Rural Livelihoods and Climate change Adaptation ...

2 Dec 2019 HI-LIFE
Promoting climate-smart livelihoods in the Far-Eastern Himalayan Landscape

On 9 November 2019, representatives from ICIMOD’s Far-Eastern Himalayan Landscape Initiative (HI-LIFE), UNDP, and the Global Environmental Institute (GEI) delivered ...

9 Dec 2016 News
Training to Measure Glaciers in Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Nepal

A four-day theoretical training on glacier mass balance monitoring was conducted from 25–28 October 2016 at the International Centre for ...

14 Aug 2015 News
EU and ICIMOD intensify collaboration

A joint meeting of delegations from the EU and ICIMOD expressed satisfaction on the progress made by the EU-funded programme ...

10 Jul 2018 CBFEWS
Local Communities Take Ownership of Flood Early Warning System

ICIMOD, partners, and local governments have come together to save lives from flash flooding by installing eleven such community-based flood ...