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.
![]() Contributions to policy from scientific research - a view from the mountainsnewsThe Mountain Research Initiative (TC Americas) and CONDESAN convened a round table discussion, titled “Monitoring of change in mountains: how can research feed policy for sustainable development?” as part of activities in the Mountain Pavilion during the Rio+20 conference. Invited speakers included representatives from Europe, Asia, and North and South... Read more » |
![]() Migration and climate change in mountain areas: workshop summarynewsThe workshop on “Migration and climate change in mountain areas”, was co-organised by the University of Neuchâtel (Prof. Etienne Piguet) and the University of Sussex (Prof. Richard Black), held in May 2012. This workshop aimed to bring together both senior and junior scholars with an interest in migration and climate... Read more » |
![]() WMO Considers Draft Implementation Plan for Global Framework for Climate ServicesnewsAt its 64th session the Executive Council of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which took place from 25 June to 3 July 2012, in Geneva, Switzerland, was adopted a draft implementation plan for the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS). It aims to increase the availability, accuracy and relevance of... Read more » |
![]() Course on “Understanding and adapting to climate change in mountain areas”, 8-17 July 2012, ItalyeventThe Fifth Summer Course, organized by the International Programme on Research and Training on Sustainable Management of Mountain Areas (IPROMO), the Mountain Partnership Secretariat at FAO and the University of Turin, will run for 10 days, from 8 to 17 July 2012. This year, IPROMO’s theme is “Understanding and adapting... Read more » |
![]() The future potential of European Mountain forests - Final Conference of the MANFRED projecteventThe Final Conference of the European Project Management Strategies to adapt Alpine Space Forests to Climate Change Risks (MANFRED) will be held on 28 June 2012, on the premises of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome (Italy). The conference, titled “The future potential...
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![]() The retreating Himalayas: disaster in slow motionnewsIf the unprecedented rate of glacial retreat in the South Asian region is not checked, countries in the area are likely to turn highly food-insecure. Pakistan’s latest Climate Change Policy clearly indicates that freshwater resources in Pakistan are dependent on snow and glacial melting and monsoon rains; all of which... Read more » |
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