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.
![]() UN days celebrated across the Indian HimalayasnewsThe Centre for Environmental Education (CEE Himalaya) actively raises awareness about the international days that are observed by the United Nations. In the months of May and June 2017, CEE Himalaya with the support of partners organized celebrations of the International Day of Biological Diversity and World Environment... Read more » |
![]() Mountain village alliance holds annual meetingnewsThe Alliance of Central Asian Mountain Communities (AGOCA) convened an annual meeting that brought together 15 members for three days of intensive exchange about the progress accomplished on projects and the remaining challenges of Territorial Public Self-Governances (TPS). The meeting was held on 15-17 June 2017 in ‘Kun-Elek’ village,... Read more » |
![]() Mountain Business SummiteventTaking place in the heart of the Pyrenees Mountains, the Mountain Business Summit is an international trade show that will assemble key players contributing to the economic development of the mountain industry. For three days, professionals will share and promote their expertise with local and international investors and decision-makers. The... Read more » |
![]() Mountain summer course in Italy to openpeak to peakIssue 106 – Month 7 – Year 2017 The July issue of Peak to Peak begins with an announcement of the opening of the 2017 International Programme on Research and Training on Sustainable Management of Mountain Areas (IPROMO) on 5 July in Ormea and Pieve Tesino, Italy. The newsletter... Download » |
![]() Mountain summer course in Italy to opennewsParticipants of the 2017 International Programme on Research and Training on Sustainable Management of Mountain Areas (IPROMO) will meet on 5 July in Ormea and Pieve Tesino, Italy to begin a two-week training programme on sustainable mountain development. About 30 professionals from the fields of Agriculture, Economics, Forestry, Biology, Geology... Read more » |
![]() Mountain Research and Development issue onlinenewsArticles in Mountain Research and Development (MRD) often relate to the climate change debate at the core of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) process currently gearing up for the 6th Assessment Report. Two papers in this open issue offer contrasting positions: one is critical and advocates a stronger... Read more » |
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