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.
![]() Agreement to improve mountain livelihoodsnewsIFOAM - Organics International and FAO signed an agreement on June 1 2018 in Rome, Italy to improve the livelihoods of rural peoples, including mountain smallholders, by strengthening market access and value chains for small-scale producers, enhancing the conservation and use of biodiversity and reducing food loss and food waste. |
![]() Mountains and islands, fragile ecosystemsnewsGiorgio Grussu of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat presented the Coalition for Fragile Ecosystems at the 61st Congress of Rotary District 2080 on 25 May 2018 in Santa Teresa di Gallura, Sardinia, Italy. The Coalition for Fragile Ecosystems is a collaboration between the Mountain Partnership and Global Island Partnership that aims... Read more » |
![]() Food and tourism in the Philippine CordilleranewsThe Mountain Partnership Secretariat (MPS) together with Slow Food travelled to the Philippines on 7–17 May 2018 to explore the potential of a new pilot on food and tourism in the Philippine Cordillera region, aimed at promoting linkages between high-value mountain products and ecotourism services. The pilot would... Read more » |
![]() Green economies surge in the ApenninesnewsThe conference La Green Economy Nella Regione Appenninica (Green Economy in the Apennine region) was held at the University of Camerino on 22–23 May 2018, organized by Eurac Research, in partnership with several organizations including the Alpine Convention, in the framework of the Mountain Partnership. Attended by... Read more » |
![]() 61st Congress of Rotary District 2080eventGiorgio Grussu of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat will present the Coalition for Fragile Ecosystems that the Mountain Partnership and Global Island Partnership are building together at the 61st Congress of Rotary District 2080 (Rome, Lazio, Sardinia), to be held on 25 May 2018 Santa Teresa di Gallura, Sardinia, Italy. The... Read more » |
![]() Mountain agrobiodiversity at FICO Eataly WorldnewsMountain products and their role in preserving agrobiodiversity was presented by Rosalaura Romeo of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat (MPS) on the International Day for Biological Diversity during the conference “Forgotten fruits and agrobiodiversity: resources worth saving”. The conference was organized by the Fondazione Fabbrica Italiana Contadina, ARPA Emilia Romagna, FICO,... Read more » |
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