Perpetual Planet

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.

The first phase of this Perpetual Planet partnership focuses on mountain systems and the role they play in providing water resources to nearly 2 billion people. Learn more about these water towers and our groundbreaking expedition to Mt. Everest (known locally as Sagarmatha or Chomolungma) below.

LATEST RESEARCH

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.

    National Geographic Society + Rolex

    Our innovative partnership supports exploration of some of the most extreme environments on the planet to gain insights into the systems that support life on Earth.

    Learn More
    Latest Stories
    Microplastics found near Everest’s peak, highest ever detected in the world
    Microplastics found near Everest’s peak, highest ever detected in the world
    Climb with a team of scientists who see Everest in a way others don't: as a living laboratory
    Climb with a team of scientists who see Everest in a way others don't: as a living laboratory
    Experience what drives researchers to study one of the most extreme environments on the planet
    Experience what drives researchers to study one of the most extreme environments on the planet
    How scientists turned the world’s highest mountain into a climate laboratory
    How scientists turned the world’s highest mountain into a climate laboratory
    A water crisis looms for 270 million people as South Asia’s glaciers shrink
    A water crisis looms for 270 million people as South Asia’s glaciers shrink
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    Expedition Videos
    Experience what drives researchers to study one of the most extreme environments on the planet
    Experience what drives researchers to study one of the most extreme environments on the planet
    Climb with a team of scientists who see Everest in a way others don't: as a living laboratory
    Climb with a team of scientists who see Everest in a way others don't: as a living laboratory
    Creating a virtual reconstruction of Everest Base Camp
    Creating a virtual reconstruction of Everest Base Camp
    How alpine species are adapting to climate change
    How alpine species are adapting to climate change
    What mud from glacial lakes can tell us about our history and future
    What mud from glacial lakes can tell us about our history and future
    EVEREST EXPEDITION

    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.

    Meet the Expedition Team Leads

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