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.
The Mountain PartnershippublicationThis fact sheet, published by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, outlines the mission and impact of the Mountain Partnership. Established in 2002, the Mountain Partnership boasts over 550 members, including governments, intergovernmental agencies, institutions and civil society organizations. It harnesses the... Download » |
Championing the global mountain agendapublicationThis fact sheet is published by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. It highlights the Mountain Partnership’s advocacy activities aimed at increasing global attention and securing tangible commitments for sustainable mountain development. As the only United Nations alliance dedicated to mountains, the... Download » |
The Mountain FacilitypublicationPublished by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, this fact sheet introduces the Mountain Facility, a global financing mechanism designed to enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of small mountain producers. Mountains, home to 1.1 billion people and strategic natural resources, face escalating... Download » |
Why mountains matterpublicationThis fact sheet is published by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. It outlines the critical importance of mountains for people and the planet, highlighting that mountains are home to around 1.1 billion people. Covering about 27 percent of the earth's land... Download » |
27th session of the FAO Committee on ForestryeventThe 27th Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO 27) wil be held at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy from 22-26 July in a hybrid format. COFO 27 brings together high-level representatives, heads of forest services, government officials and partner organizations to identify emerging policy and technical guidance, seek solutions,... Read more » |
Adaptation at Altitude Knowledge Network learning event - Lessons Learned: Designing and Implementing Transboundary Adaptation in MountainseventJoin for a panel discussion on transboundary climate risks and how to successfully design and implement cross-border adaptation projects! Mountains suffer some of the most visible impacts of climate change: rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are melting glaciers, disrupting water flows and affecting ecosystems, creating and worsening natural hazards and Read more » |
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