Mountains. Rainforests. The ocean. These critical Earth systems provide some of the most basic needs for life on Earth: water, oxygen, a stable climate. But these systems are increasingly at risk due to global environmental challenges like climate change.

That’s why National Geographic and Rolex have partnered to support trailblazing scientific research, expeditions, and solutions to increase our understanding of the threats facing the planet’s life support systems and drive action to address them.

Together, the partnership supports a series of expeditions to examine the impact of climate and environmental change on the planet’s most fragile iconic environments, to document the changes occurring and the implications for people and wildlife.

Scientists from around the world have collaborated on new research showing that glacier-based mountain water systems around the world are at risk, in many cases critically, due to growing environmental pressures. By identifying the most relied upon, and most vulnerable, of these water towers, this research aims to help prioritize the protection of these critical systems.

Read the full paper here.

The National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Expedition to Mt. Everest was the most comprehensive single scientific expedition to this iconic mountain in history. The team installed the two highest weather stations in the world and collected the highest ice core ever recorded.

Explore hourly weather information from the mountain, as well as historic and future projections of snow and ice cover below.