“The Earth is what we all have in common.” – Wendell Berry
Planet Earth has experienced incredible transformations over its multibillion-year history. It has seen the rise and fall of dinosaurs, Homo Erectus, Homo Habilis, and countless ancestors of modern humans. However, in just a few thousand years, we humans have accelerated the harmful impacts on the environment—especially over the past two centuries.
Scientists warn that climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world in the coming decades. By 2050, the Earth’s temperature could rise by as much as 2°C, a stark reminder that global warming is a real and irreversible threat to all life on Earth.
This video is about the expedition named “Sleeping Dragon” that was organized by Mamuka Nikoladze, the founder of Altihut back in 1998 on Mount Kazbegi
This crisis doesn’t spare any region, including Georgia and the Caucasus. The melting of the glaciers in the Caucasus Mountains is a clear indication that we cannot escape the consequences of climate change.
For decades, two generations of scientists—Giorgi Abuladze and Giorgi Gotsiridze—have studied the Gergeti Glacier. After 30 years, veteran geographer and glaciologist Abuladze returned to the site he first documented in 1973 to observe the glacier’s retreat due to global warming. Their expeditions reveal alarming results: between 1973 and 2019, the Gergeti Glacier has shrunk by 1,000 meters, an average of 21 meters per year. These photos offer a sobering view of climate change in action.
1973
20 July
2019
25 October
Effects of Global Warming on Gergety Glacier, 50 years of research – movie by Movement TV about this unique ecpedition with two generations of scientists.
Less trash, more green
Unfortunately, waste and poor sanitary conditions have added another layer to the environmental crisis. Some major European tour operators have even removed the glacier from their offerings due to the lack of responsible tourism practices.
High altitudes and limited infrastructure make cleaning efforts difficult. However, local efforts have made a difference. In 2004, locals, along with German and Swiss mountaineers, removed two tons of garbage. In 2014, another clean-up was organized by the National Tourism Administration, and nine tons of waste were collected. By 2020, the Agency of Protected Territories transported more than 20 tons of garbage by helicopter.
“Altihut,” located near the 3,014-meter mark, is a major checkpoint for climbers, where many tourists stop—unfortunately leaving behind significant amounts of waste. Founder Davit Chichinadze notes that Altihut initiated large-scale clean-up campaigns between 2016 and 2019, collecting over four tons of waste. They follow the principle, “Think globally, act locally,” and actively work to reduce their negative environmental footprint.
Harnessing the Sun
Altihut also leads by example in sustainability, using 100% renewable solar energy to power its operations. This ensures essential communications with Magticom (a local GSM provider), which is critical for the safety of mountaineers. Solar power has literally saved lives by maintaining communication in dangerous conditions.
Solar energy, unlike traditional sources, does not emit greenhouse gases, harm the atmosphere, or produce dangerous radiation. It’s safe for both humans and the environment, which is a priority for the Altihut team
#TakeCareOfYourPlanet
– Let’s minimize our environmental footprint and be kind to the Earth.
