Messner inspires at the climate summit: Focus on the future of the mountains!

Messner inspires at the climate summit: Focus on the future of the mountains!

Reinhold Messner, the mountaineering legend and passionate nature and climate protector, gave an impressive lecture at the climate summit in Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn entitled “Kalipé – always calm feet”. The 80-year-old was present in front of around 500 listeners and impressed the audience not only with his experiences on the highest peaks in the world, but also with profound reflections on transience and death. During the standing ovation, many in attendance pulled out their smartphones to capture special moments.

Messner took the opportunity to speak forcefully about the need to accept death as part of life. He showed impressive images of a sky burial with mountain vultures in Tibet, which inspired thoughtful moments in the audience. In his speech, he emphasized that sacrifice was a central part of his success as an alpinist. “I’m a horizon addict,” he said, to illustrate his insatiable curiosity for new experiences.

Experience and protect nature

Messner criticized mass tourism and advocated sustainable mountain tourism models in order to preserve the majesty and silence of the mountains. As part of his commitment to environmental conservation, he studies the Himalayan hill tribes and establishes schools to promote knowledge of sustainable practices. He also initiated an “experiment for new living” in South Tyrol, which includes a barely visible rock house architecture. A converted old cable car station in Sexten now serves as an “Institute of Sustainability”.

Messner's core message is clear: reduction, deceleration, calm and sustainability should form the foundation for future generations.

Experience as an extreme mountaineer

Messner's unique perspective on climate change is based on his own experiences in extreme situations. Born on September 17, 1944 in Brixen, he has experienced the Earth from various extreme perspectives, including the summit of Mount Everest and the South Pole. His past as an extreme mountaineer allows him to draw parallels between climbing mountains and actively addressing the climate crisis. He particularly vividly describes how foregoing luxury was his key to success, both in his mountain expeditions and in the fight against climate change.

He calls on society to take action and find solutions to the challenges of climate change. He expresses concerns about the unwillingness of countries such as China, India and the USA to take necessary measures. However, Messner sees an opportunity in Europe to create positive momentum on climate change and is convinced that it is up to citizens to solve the problems to stop global warming.

In his opinion, industrialization over the last two centuries has brought prosperity, but it has also heated up the earth considerably. “Humanity will not perish,” he warns, “but floods and storms will increase.” Messner urgently appeals to reduce CO2-causing energy consumption, which represents an immense challenge for politicians.

His extraordinary life and his passion for nature make Reinhold Messner an influential voice in the areas of environmental protection and climate change. He not only remains a role model for mountaineers worldwide, but also a beacon of hope for future generations in their pursuit of a more sustainable approach to the earth.

For more information about Reinhold Messner's commitment read the article by Mercury and visit too UBM Development.