Stop Climate Destruction in Tibet
Gepubliceerd op: 5 April 2025
Campaign to raise awareness about the Tibetan plateau, which is warming faster than the global average due to Chinese dam construction and mining activities.
Geschreven door Tibet Support Group Netherlands
The Tibetan Plateau: The Earth’s Third Pole
The Tibetan plateau, often referred to as the “Third Pole,” contains the largest concentration of ice outside the Arctic and Antarctic. This vast highland serves as the source of Asia’s major rivers and provides water to nearly 2 billion people across 10 countries.
Alarming Rate of Warming
- The Tibetan plateau is warming nearly three times faster than the global average
- More than 80% of glaciers are retreating, with many expected to disappear by 2050
- Permafrost is thawing rapidly, releasing additional greenhouse gases
- Weather patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable, with more extreme events
Human Factors Accelerating the Crisis
China’s development policies in Tibet are exacerbating climate change:
- Massive dam construction disrupts natural water flows and ecosystems
- Extensive mining operations release pollutants and destroy fragile habitats
- Forced resettlement of nomads removes traditional stewards of the grasslands
- Deforestation increases erosion and reduces carbon storage
Why This Is Crucial
The climate crisis in Tibet has global consequences:
- Water security for billions of people is under threat
- Changing water flows affect food production across Asia
- Ecosystem destruction impacts global biodiversity
- Accelerated warming contributes to global climate instability
Tibet’s traditional environmental stewardship, based on Buddhist principles of respect for all living beings, offers sustainable alternatives to current destructive practices.
Our Campaign Goals
- Raise awareness about Tibet’s crucial role in Asian and global climate systems
- Advocate for independent scientific access to monitor environmental changes in Tibet
- Promote Tibetan environmental expertise and traditional ecological knowledge
- Apply pressure on international institutions to address Tibet in climate negotiations
- Support sustainable development alternatives that respect Tibet’s fragile ecosystems
How You Can Help
Join our campaign to protect Tibet’s environment and address the climate crisis affecting the “Third Pole.” Together, we can work toward environmental justice and sustainability for Tibet and the world.