Mount Everest at risk from climate change

Mount Everest

The world's highest mountain is already suffering from the effects of climate change. Scientists agree that burning oil and other fossil fuels cause temperatures to rise and change our climate.

Rising temperatures means that the ice in mountain glaciers melts and fills up mountain lakes.

Some lakes have already burst and many others are swollen to the brinks. When they burst many nearby villages will be flooded.

Temba Tsheri Sherpa on Everest

If temperatures continue to rise, the Himalayas will never look the same again and people living in the area will be forced to leave their homes.

Temba Tsheri Sherpa was only 16 years old when he climbed Mount Everest in 2001, making him the youngest person ever to climb the mountain.

He says: "Everest is the pride of the nation, but more than this, it is a gift to the world. Lake Tsho-Ipa has formed near the area where I come from. Local people live in fear that the lake will burst."

Temba has teamed up with Friends of the Earth in Nepal to campaign to protect Mount Everest . They are asking UNESCO to protect the mountain. UNESCO is an international organisation that looks after unique natural areas in the world.

You can help Temba and Nepal Friends of the Earth with their campaign.

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