Human activities are profoundly affecting the world’s climate, and mountains are a sensitive indicator of that effect. Because of their altitude, slope and orientation to the sun, mountain ecosystems are easily disrupted by variations in climate. Many scientists believe that the changes occurring in mountain ecosystems may provide an early glimpse of what could come to pass in lowland environments.
As the world heats up, mountain glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates, while rare plants and animals struggle to survive over ever diminishing areas, and mountain peoples, already among the world’s poorest citizens, face even greater hardships.
Changes in the volume of mountain glaciers and in their seasonal melting patterns have an impact on water resources in many parts of the world. Changes in water availability due to climate change are taking place at a time when pressure on water resources for irrigation and food production, industrialization and urbanization is increasing.
Understanding how climate change affects mountains is vital as governments and international organizations develop strategies to reverse current global warming trends, elaborating treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. In addition, local community empowerment can be an essential step towards building climate change resilience in mountains.
![]() Call for inputs, UNSG report on sustainable mountain developmentpeak to peakThe April 2022 issue of Peak to Peak calls for inputs to the 2022 United Nations Secretary-General report on sustainable mountain development. Top news stories cover mountain-related events in Andorra, Nepal and South Africa, as well as a side event on fragile ecosystems held on the sidelines of the 66th... Download » |
![]() International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development, 2022publicationOn 16 December 2021, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution proclaiming 2022 the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development at the proposal of the Kyrgyz Government. The resolution was sponsored by 94 governments and invites the Mountain Partnership to facilitate the observance of this Year. |
![]() Sustainable mountain tourism: FAO's high-level virtual event to mark International Mountain Daypeak to peakThe December 2021 issue of Peak to Peak announces the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations' official celebration of International Mountain Day 2021, to be held on 10 December. Top news stories cover mountain-related events at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, the unveiling of a rooftop farm... Download » |
![]() Film series spotlights climate crisis in mountainsnewsThe recently launched film series “Voices from the Roof of the World” – a joint initiative of the Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Aga Khan Foundation and University of Central Asia – focuses on the climate crisis in the world’s highest mountain region. Home to 240 million... Read more » |
![]() Children's voices for mountains at COP26news“Children are the future custodians of mountains, and empowering their role through education to be the main actors in addressing climate change is essential,” said Sara Manuelli of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat during a United Nations Climate Change Conference satellite event. Hosted by the University of Glasgow, the event on 4... Read more » |
![]() International Mountain Day 2021 photo contest openspeak to peakThe November 2021 issue of Peak to Peak calls for photographers to share their best photos of sustainable mountain tourism for the 2021 International Mountain Day contest by 22 November. Top news stories cover two mountain-related events at the Expo 2020 Dubai, an expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness... Download » |
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