Tibet: Under threat from extreme climate change impacts

Home to the largest store of fresh water outside the Arctic and Antarctic, Tibet is on the frontline of global climate change and under serious threat from China’s failed policies.

Like the Arctic, Tibet is experiencing profound climate change impacts. China’s hydro-damming and mineral extraction in Tibet, combined with climate change, threaten to destroy Tibet’s unique ecosystems, disrupting life for a billion people downstream and across Asia.

This website highlights the environmental issues affecting Tibet – a country of global geopolitical importance – prior to the important COP21 negotiations in Paris, November 2015.

Hi Holiness the Dalai Lama at his hom ein Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India. © Ian Cumming / icimages.com
“The impact of climate change in Tibet is harsh. As the world focuses on climate action at United Nations’ COP21 meetings, Tibet should be central to any progress made. The Tibetan Plateau needs protecting, not just for Tibetans, but for the environmental health and sustainability of the entire world. As stewards of their own land, Tibetans’ expertise should be part of tackling climate change.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama

THE ISSUES:

Tibet Third Pole

Tibet Third Pole

Tibet: Under threat from extreme climate change impacts
Tibet 3rd Pole - Nomads

Nomads

“Tibet’s nomads have lived sustainably on the plateau’s grasslands for millennia, but China has removed over 2 million on the false grounds of “enviro-protection”
Tibet 3rd Pole - Greenhouse Gasses

Greenhouse Gases

As temperatures rise, permafrost thaws, releasing trapped methane into the atmosphere, further exacerbating global warming.
Tibet 3rd Pole - Climate Change

Global Warming

Tibet is warming TWICE AS FAST as the rest of the world.
Tibet 3rd Pole - Dams

Megadams and Water Diversion

China is building large dams and water diversion projects on the plateau at an unprecedented rate
Tibet 3rd Pole - Mining

Unregulated Mining

Like the Arctic, Tibet holds vast stores of sought-after minerals and resources.
Tibet 3rd Pole - Grasslands

Grassland Degradation

Tibetan grasslands, one of the most important grazing ecosystems on the planet
Tibet 3rd Pole - Biodiversity

Wildlife Preservation

As global temperatures rise the threat to Tibetan wildlife and ecosystems are heightened.

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