Where Climate Science Meets Economic Resilience
What We Do
Understand
Foundational understanding of climate systems and their impact on Himalayan ecosystems.
Educate
Create year-long science education opportunities for communities across the Khumbu.
Support
Support cutting-edge field work across scientific disciplines: climate, glaciology, geology, biology, chemistry, forestry.
Empower
Support the creation of local workforce capacity through technical training and outreach.
Build
Provide infrastructure for climate observational systems, monitoring and data collection and analysis facilities.
Create
Inform evidenced-based strategies for reducing the long-term impacts of climate change.
Who We Serve
The KRC will provide the local Sherpa community with alternate economic opportunities outside of tourism, trekking and climbing. It will offer research into agricultural opportunities beyond potatoes and buckwheat, crops that are facing irregular cycles due to climate change in the Himalayas. As a self-sustaining research facility, the KRC will operate throughout the calendar year. The KRC’s network will include academic, government and non-government organizations who would, in turn, collaborate with the local community in Phortse for support in data collection, field studies and research assistance. KRC will serve as a resource for scientific exploration, education and training.
What We Preserve
The Himalayan region of Nepal is one of the most densely populated mountainous regions in the world and hosts an extraordinary array of terrestrial biodiversity, fauna, geologic and cryospheric environments. It is also an epicenter for Sherpa culture and religion. Many of the Sherpa there are either farmers or high-altitude mountain guides and lodge operators for tourists and climbers. It is well documented that the Himalayas are significantly impacted by climate change -- increasing the risk and frequency of floods, landslides and avalanches. Climate change also is impacting the stability of plant, fungal and animal species in these unique environments. These fragile ecosystems are changing quickly which cause challenges to the indigenous communities who rely on them for survival and cultural practices. A regionally based center for the study and understanding of climate change on mountain biology, ecology and its impact on indigenous populations is necessary and urgently required.