LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — A team of scientists led by Nevada climatologist Dr. Baker Perry is on a mission to gather crucial climate change data from some of the most extreme environments on Earth, including the summit of Mount Everest.

The project, part of the National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Everest Expedition, aims to better understand the impacts of a rapidly changing environment.

Dr. Baker Perry, a National Geographic Explorer, emphasized the importance of the mission, stating, “We know more about the weather on Mars than we do on the highest peaks of the Himalaya here on our planet.” He added, “It’s critical to have a station here on the glacier.”

Since the mission began in 2019, the team has collected significant data on solar radiation and precipitation.

This information is vital for understanding the effects on meltwater and freshwater resources for surrounding communities.