My Latest Expedition

On May 22nd, 2010 I undertook a 1km swim across a glacial lake on Mt Everest. My purpose was to draw attention to the melting of the Himalayan glaciers and the consequences this will have on the peace in the region.

The combination of the water temperature (2 degrees C), the fresh water (less buoyant than salt water) and the altitude (5,300m) made this one of the most difficult swims I have ever undertaken. En route I undertook a test swim in Lake Imja. The lake was first seen in 1958. Today it is almost 2 kilometres long due to the melting Imja Glacier.

These glaciers are not just ice. They are a lifeline. They provide a constant water supply to some 2 billion people – nearly a third of the world’s population. The peoples of India, China, Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Bhutan depend on the melt water from the Himalayan and Hindu Kush glaciers. But they are melting due to climate change. And without a regular supply of water, there is a real risk of instability in the region.

This is a plea to every nation, to do everything it can, to put a stop to climate change. We live in a global environment. What happens in one part of the world will impact every other part. And when it comes to cutting carbon emissions, we must stop arguing about whether China, the USA or the EU should act first. Given the urgency of the situation every country needs to put in place every solution at its disposal. There is no time for delay.