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.
![]() Fifth Global Meeting of the Mountain PartnershipeventThe Fifth Global Meeting of the Mountain Partnership (MP) was to take place 21-22 October 2016 in Mbale, Uganda, but has been postponed to 2017. The new date and venue are to be determined. This Global Meeting will provide members with an opportunity to discuss delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals,... Read more » |
![]() Call for mountain climate change expertsnewsThe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is currently requesting that Governments, Observer Organizations and IPCC Bureau members nominate experts, by Monday, 14 November 2016, for the scoping meeting of its 6th Assessment Report. The partners of the Sustainable Mountain Development for Global Change Programme (SMD4GC) discussed the call this... Read more » |
![]() Alpine organizations celebrate 25 yearsnewsThe tri-national youth tour of Mont Blanc concluded with a celebration of the Alpine Convention, Espace Mont-Blanc and ProMONT-BLANC’s respective 25 year anniversaries. The three organizations joined together for an evening dedicated to young people and their role in the future of the Alps and, in... Read more » |
![]() In memory of Lawrence S. HamiltonnewsMountain expert and environmental leader Lawrence “Larry” S. Hamilton passed away on 6 October 2016. During his lifetime, Larry Hamilton was a global leader in researching and raising awareness about mountain issues. He was a member of the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) of the International Union...
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![]() Call for papers on migration in mountain areasnewsMigration is greatly affecting mountain societies and mountain ecosystems. Mountain Research and Development is looking for papers that assess experiences of promoting sustainable development in a context of out- or in-migration; that analyse migration processes and their implications for mountain communities and ecosystems; or that offer agendas for future research... Read more » |
![]() World Food DayeventThe Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) encourages celebrations of World Food Day each year on 16 October. Events are organized in over 150 countries to promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure food security and... Read more » |
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