Nico over het getuige zijn van klimaatverandering
Toen Nico Hojac 15 jaar oud was, ging hij op taaluitwisseling naar Val Ferret. Maar in plaats van Frans te leren, ontdekte hij zijn passie voor de bergen. Terwijl we samen gekoppeld de Konkordiaplatz-gletsjer oversteken, leidt Nico ons met gemak; zijn ervaring, kennis en toewijding aan de bergen zijn overduidelijk. Op een veilig punt op onze route vertelt Nico ons hoe zijn sport en beroep worden bedreigd door klimaatverandering
How are you changing climate and melting glaciers affecting alpinism?
Mountaineering will become more dangerous in the future. As permafrost begins to thaw, it will cause more and more rockfalls, which can be fatal. The melting glaciers also often leave behind rubble and scree, making routes and access more difficult. Plus, climate change is not only causing the glaciers to melt, it is also causing the weather to become more erratic and extreme which makes climbing windows harder to predict.
“Het zien veranderen van de gletsjers heeft mij geïnspireerd om mijn ecologische voetafdruk te verkleinen.”
You've been inspired to reduce your carbon footprint. What changes have you made to your lifestyle?
It’s difficult to feel like you’re making a difference as an individual, but you can’t lose hope. Every action matters, big or small. I’ve decided for myself that I will only go on an expedition once a year and will try to avoid flying as much as possible. The three main things I think most people can do as an individual are: eat less meat, fly less, and vote, vote, vote.
How important is awareness of the issue for creating change?
I think it's important to address these problems and share them with people. It is not about just saving the mountains but the whole planet. The effects we see in glaciers are just the tip of the iceberg. That's why I'm also campaigning for NGOs like Protect Our Winters and giving talks about the problem. The more people know, the better their decisions will be, and the better hope we have at solving this crisis.
