Reinhold Messner inspires at the climate summit: A call for sustainability!

Reinhold Messner inspires at the climate summit: A call for sustainability!

The mountaineer and environmentalist Reinhold Messner appeared at the climate summit in Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn. The 80-year-old captivated around 500 listeners, many of whom took photos as he bowed during his performance. Messner gave a lecture entitled “Kalipé – always calm feet,” in which he talked about transience, death and his own experiences as an extreme mountaineer. He stressed the need to accept death as a part of life and shared powerful images of a sky burial with mountain vultures in Tibet.

His reflections on renunciation, which he sees as a central component of his success in alpine history, were particularly moving. “You have to take death as a fact,” explained Messner, describing himself as a “horizon addict.” This philosophy enabled him to climb mountains with minimalist approaches and without expensive equipment. He also cited his criticism of mass tourism: people would not find what they were looking for there and it was time to develop sustainable mountain tourism models to protect nature.

Sustainability and environmental protection in focus

Messner, born on September 17, 1944 in Brixen, is not only known for his mountain climbs, including Mount Everest and the South Pole, but also for his commitment to environmental protection. He studies hill tribes in the Himalayas and establishes schools to promote sustainable practices. In South Tyrol he initiated an “experiment for new living” that includes rock house architecture. In addition, an old cable car station in Sexten was converted into an “Institute of Sustainability”, which is intended to serve as a model for environmentally friendly living.

His appeal to society was urgent: “We must actively find solutions to climate change.” Messner raised concerns about the unwillingness of countries such as China, India and the US to address the challenges of climate change. At the same time, he sees an opportunity in Europe to generate positive momentum. He warned of the increase in natural disasters such as floods and storms and called for a reduction in CO2-emitting energy consumption.

A role model for future generations

Reinhold Messner remains an influential voice in environmental protection and a role model for mountaineers and future generations. Its core message, which revolves around reduction, deceleration, calm and sustainability, is intended to lay the foundation for a better future. “We have to learn to live in harmony with nature,” he concluded his lecture, leaving the audience not only with a message, but also with lasting inspiration.

For more information about the event, see reports from Mercury and one-trip.de.