Knowledge sharing: Stories and solutions
The Mountain Sentinels Collaborative Network held a side event at COP 28: Just and sustainable climate futures: Stories and solutions from the mountains.
The UN recognizes December 11th as International Mountain Day, whose 2023 theme is Restoring Mountain Ecosystems. Mountains are globally ubiquitous and well-represented across northern regions. Ecosystem services produced by mountains include water provision for nearly half of the world’s population. Mountains, like the Arctic, are sentinels of global change. Mountain restoration – of global importance for climate adaptation, mitigation and just transition – requires a critical and intersectional approach incorporating nature-based solutions, community-led stewardship and investment for sustainable development.
This event highlighted community-based approaches to climate adaptation and sustainable mountain development. Participants from mountains worldwide brought lived experience, research, knowledge and stories about the restoration of mountain environments and communities. Presentations and discussions emphasized climate-oriented, just solutions from local and Indigenous mountain communities.
The event opened by recognizing the variety of voices and approaches to restoration of mountains and their communities internationally. Then, a story-sharing session, where we define “stories” as research, art, prose and more was undertaken. Then, these stories were reflected on collectively through the three goals of the event to create a pathway forward.