© WWF Nepal
Apa Sherpa on Everest.

Kathmandu, Nepal – WWF Climate Ambassador and famed mountaineer Apa Sherpa took his climate crusade to the top of the world yet again by unfurling a climate change banner as he reached the Everest summit for a record 20th time on Saturday.

Apa Sherpa reached the top of Everest for the 20th time at 8:34 a.m. local time.

The banner carried by Apa Sherpa read: “YOU HEARD OUR VOICE, NOW RAISE YOURS – WE CAN STOP CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE HIMALAYAS”.

Last year, during his then record-breaking 19th Everest ascent, Apa had carried another banner to the summit warning the world of the dangerous impacts of climate change in the Himalayas.

Last year, during his then record-breaking 19th Everest ascent, Apa had carried another banner to the Summit warning the world of the dangerous impacts of climate change in the Himalayas.

Following that event, Apa, and fellow Climate Ambassador Dawa Steven Sherpa were actively engaged in the WWF-led Climate for Life Campaign, which led to the Himalayas getting significant attention in the global debate on climate change leading up the climate talks in Copenhagen.

“In 2009, the world gave us massive support when we were involved with Climate for Life with WWF and we are thankful for that support and encouragement; however after Copenhagen, we have felt there is an even greater need to take action against climate change now. The fight must continue,” said Dawa Steven Sherpa, from the Everest Base Camp.

Apa carried the banner during the Eco Everest Expedition, which is led by Dawa Steven Sherpa, who has climbed Everest twice.

The event was part of WWF’s Climate for Life Campaign which extensively raised the issue of the impacts of climate change in the Himalayas in the run up to the Copenhagen COP 15 Summit. The Campaign managed to reach out to a large mass of people in Nepal and beyond with a compelling voice for global action with powerful events - such as having Rt. Hon. Prime Minister of Nepal present rocks from the Everest summit to U.S President Barack Obama and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

“The admirable efforts of Ambassadors like Apa Sherpa truly help in highlighting the human face of the impacts of Climate Change. Such strong voices from vulnerable communities have gone a long way in helping WWF take these messages to the world leaders in a powerful way,” said Tom Dillon, Senior Vice-President, WWF-US.

SOURCE:http://www.wwf.or.th/wwf_news/?193429/Famed-climber-takes-climate-message-to-Everest-on-record-20th-ascent