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.
![]() Mountain Partnership Secretariat Annual Report 2018publicationThe Mountain Partnership Secretariat Annual Report outlines key achievements in promoting sustainable mountain development last year in its 2018 annual report. The publication documents the Secretariat’s work in the areas of advocacy, communication and knowledge management, promoting International Mountain Day, brokering joint action and leading capacity development initiatives. This publication... Download » |
![]() IPROMO 2019 Summer Schoolpeak to peakIssue 129 - Month 8 - Year 2019 The August 2019 issue of Peak to Peak begins with a recap of this year's IPROMO Summer School. Continuing the new Members' Voices section, Alberto Pascual of Fundación CoMunidad explains the organization's work for mountains. The newsletter continues with mountain-related news, upcoming events like... Download » |
Apply for Grow Summer School, "Agrobiodiversity in a Changing Climate".peak to peakIssue 126 – Month 5 – Year 2019 The May 2019 issue of Peak to Peak starts by discussing call for applications for Grow Summer School, "Agrobiodiversity in a Changing Climate". The newsletter continues with stories about promoting mountain products in India and the Philippines and local communities' engagement. Peak to Peak... Download » |
![]() Photo of spring equinox festival in Iran wins International Mountain Day 2018 competitionnewsAn image from a spring equinox festival on a mountain in Iran has won the annual International Mountain Day photography competition organized by FAO to heighten awareness of the importance of mountains worldwide. |
A Call for MountainspublicationA Call for Mountains is a declaration published by the participants of the World Mountain Forun in Bishkek, Kygryzstan. Download » |
![]() New project promotes indigenous food and sustainable tourism in the PhilippinesnewsSlow Food and the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, hosted by FAO, have signed an agreement to improve the livelihoods of mountain people, with special focus on Cordillera's mountain community in the Philippines. The agreement comes ahead of the International Mountain Day - a day celebrated each... Read more » |
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