Each day, one of every two people on the planet quenches his thirst with water that originates in mountains. And as the world population swells to an estimated 9.6 billion by 2050, the worldwide demand for freshwater will continue to soar.
More than half of humanity relies on mountain freshwater for everyday life. The ten largest rivers originating in the Hindu Kush Himalayas alone supply water to over 1.35 billion people. Some of the world’s largest cities, including New York, Rio de Janeiro, Nairobi, Tokyo and Melbourne, are dependent on freshwater from mountains.
Climate change is already causing more than 600 glaciers to disappear, resulting in springs and rivers drying up. Greater frequency of extreme weather events, droughts and floods, including flash floods and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), are also expected to increase in mountains, causing imbalance between current water supply and demand.
Given the importance of mountain water resources worldwide, the careful management of mountain water resources is a global priority. Water management practices need to be adapted to different climatic zones, using locally adapted soil and water management techniques. Most importantly, watershed management must take into account the needs of all those who depend on mountain water, including those who have the greatest stake in preserving healthy mountain ecosystems – people who live in mountain areas themselves, who are often marginalized from the decision-making processes.
![]() Eighth meeting of rural Andean peoples closesnewsMore than 100 rural leaders, researchers and development partners from Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Nigeria and Peru met in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile on 12-15 October 2017 to exchange their experiences on the lifestyles of Andean communities, agriculture and water harvesting. The eighth International Meeting... Read more » |
![]() Climate Change, Food Security and Freshwater: Tackling Constraints and Nurturing Opportunities in Mountain RegionseventCoinciding with World Food Day on 16 October, the Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Centre (KIRDARC) and the Nepalese Civil Society Mountain Initiative (NCSMI), together with the Ministry of Population and Environment of Nepal, the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and Kathmandu University... Read more » |
![]() 8th International Meeting of Rural Andean PeopleseventThe eighth International Meeting of Rural Andean Peoples will be held in San Pedro De Atacama, Chile on 12-15 October 2017. Organized by the village of Lickanantay, Red de Agroindustria Rural del Perú (REDAR Perú), the Programme for the Development of Rural Agricultural Production of the Peruvian Ministry... Read more » |
![]() 1st West African Mountain ForumeventWest Africa is a sub-region that has an abundance of ecosystems, including - among others - mountains. Although not necessarily impressive in terms of altitude, West African mountains are high in biodiversity, and they play an important role in the overall sustainable development of the sub-region. Many West African communities... Read more » |
![]() Enter the #MountainsMatter video contestpeak to peakIssue 109 – Month 10 – Year 2017 The October issue of Peak to Peak launches the #MountainsMatter video contest, to bring attention to the plight of mountain peoples and ecosystems for International Mountain Day 2017. The newsletter continues with stories about the University of the Mountains’ initiative to... Download » |
![]() September update on mountain protected areasnewsBursting with stories about newly inscribed World Heritage Sites, the construction of roads in wilderness areas, retreating glaciers and more, the 95th issue of the Mountain Protected Areas Update provides a glimpse into the world of mountains and mountain protected areas. This edition of the International Union for...
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