Environmental Protection Efforts at the Highest Point in the World - Everest Cleanup and Efforts to Counter Global Warming

Ken Noguchi, an alpinist and environmental activist, has been conducting annual cleanup activities on Mount Everest. When he first climbed Everest in 1997, he witnessed an overwhelming amount of garbage left behind by over 3,000 climbers during the season. He even received criticism from his fellow climbers about the excessive amount of trash left by Japanese climbers.

In response, Ken Noguchi initiated Everest cleanup activities in 2000. At an altitude of 8,000 meters, the air is too thin for helicopters to carry the garbage, so he had to manually carry oxygen tanks and garbage bags on his back, bringing down the waste little by little. Despite the inherent dangers and physical strain, he persevered due to the Sherpas' requests to continue the cleanup efforts.

Recently, due to global warming, temperatures in the Himalayas have risen, causing the Everest glaciers to melt. This has resulted in flood damage in surrounding areas. To raise awareness of this issue, Ken Noguchi appealed for flood risks at the 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit, prompting experts to explore methods for draining water from the glaciers. Furthermore, the impact of global warming is evident in Tuvalu, where rising sea levels are causing coconut trees to fall.

Ken Noguchi believes that people can achieve great things when they come together. He has also held 'environmental schools' to instill environmental awareness in elementary and middle school students. The Mount Fuji cleanup activity has seen 6,000 participants, demonstrating the growing involvement of many individuals. He urged people not to give up on environmental issues and to continue raising awareness.