Tibet's environment
Tibet, the Third Pole:
Did you know that the Tibetan plateau holds the world's third-largest source of water? In other words Tibet is the third pole.
One billion people depend on the seven rivers originating on the Tibetan plateau.
With average temperatures rising and the Tibetan glaciers melting faster than average rates, Tibet's vital water sources are in danger.
The Tibetan plateau is the largest repository of ice on the planet outside the North and South Poles. In other words the Tibetan Plateau is the Earth's Third Pole. The waters from the plateau feed the great Asian rivers which are vital life source for more than a billion people in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and China. Protection of this natural resource is critical not only for the Tibetan people but us all. China's policies, however, are hurting and destroying this fragile eco -system.
Learn more about Tibet, the Third Pole
Environmental activists imprisoned:
Those who speak up about environmental protection can pay a heavy price.
Two environmental activist brothers who have publicly criticised local officials for illegal poaching of endangered species were sentenced in July 2010. Their brother Karma Samdrup, an award-winning environmentalist and one of richest businessmen in Tibet, was sentenced to 15 years for speaking up for his brothers.
Learn more about Karma and his brothers
Read more about Tibet's environment
