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.
![]() Adapting to climate change in Taita HillsnewsStrategies to adapt to the effects of climate change are now necessary especially to the small-scale farmers practicing rain-fed agriculture, who are among those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Climate change has brought with it water scarcity, longer dry spells and late onset/early cessation of rainy seasons.... Read more » |
![]() Call for displays at climate change summitnewsCivil society organizations including members of the Mountain Partnership have a chance to be seen or heard at the 21st session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21/CMP11) on 30 November-11 December 2015 in Paris, France. A portal is now open calling... Read more » |
![]() MPS launches online funding toolpeak to peakIssue 83 – Month 8 – Year 2015 The August issue of the Peak to Peak opens with a story about the launch of funding database to assist members in their resource mobilization efforts. We also look at what MP members have been working on in Asia and the... Download » |
![]() MP member wins sustainability awardnewsOn June 2015, Fundación Cordillera Tropical (FCT) won the 2015 National Energy Globe Award for Ecuador in recognition of its commitment to creating sustainable livelihoods in the southern Ecuadorian Andes. Energy Globe, the world award for sustainability, recognized FCT's program to promote pasture restoration on private land bordering Sangay National Park... Read more » |
![]() Presenting results on renewable energy in AlpsnewsThe Alps offer great potential for renewable energy production. But this simultaneously increases the pressure on nature. The partners in the international recharge.green project have found ways to ensure this balancing act succeeds. They will be presenting their results at the final conference to be held on 20-21 May 2015... Read more » |
![]() A Year-long Ascent: Mountain Partnership Secretariat Annual Report 2014publicationThe Mountain Partnership Secretariat (MPS) reflects its key achievements in promoting sustainable mountain development (SMD) in its 2014 annual report. Using mountain climbing as an analogy to facing SMD challenges, the annual report outlines its work in advocacy, communication and knowledge management, promoting International Mountain Day, brokering joint action and... Download » |
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