UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres calls on mountain countries to take bold action on climate change mitigation and adaption

Mountains and climate change


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.

ECOSOC 2024 Youth Forum

ECOSOC 2024 Youth Forum

event

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum provides a global platform for dialogue among Member States and young leaders from around the world on solutions to challenges affecting youth wellbeing. It also serves as a unique space for young people to share their vision and actions as well as...

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Spotlight on Mountain Biodiversity - Towards an holistic view of warming mountains

Spotlight on Mountain Biodiversity - Towards an holistic view of warming mountains

event

The second instalment of the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (GMBA)'s online webinar series "Spotlight on Mountain Biodiversity" will be held on 11 April 2024 at 15.00 CEST. This episode will feature Olivier Dangles of the University of Montpelliar who will speak about "Towards an holistic view of warming mountains".

This webinar...

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World Social Forum 2024 Nepal highlights mountains and climate justice

World Social Forum 2024 Nepal highlights mountains and climate justice

peak to peak

The March 2024 issue of Peak to Peak reports on the World Social Forum 2024 Nepal. Top news stories cover a national training on mountain vulnerability assessment in Kyrgyzstan and a new podcast on mountains. Peak to Peak continues with a featured video, publications and upcoming events. Happy reading!

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 Achieving sustainable food systems in mountains

Achieving sustainable food systems in mountains

peak to peak

The February 2024 issue of Peak to Peak highlights recent international events focused on mountains, including the conference "Enabling resilient and sustainable food systems in the Hindu Kush Himalaya" in Nepal and the European foresight workshop for resilient mountain areas in Belgium. Top news stories and features cover the declaration...

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Sixth GROW training concludes, innovation contest winner announced

Sixth GROW training concludes, innovation contest winner announced

news

Ysa Calderón from Peru has won the 2023 GROW Agrobiodiversity in a Changing Climate innovation contest. Her project aims to protect biodiversity and addresses threats to pollinators such as climate change, pesticides and deforestation. The project emphasizes supporting women.

The annual GROW course “Agrobiodiversity in a changing climate” closed on...

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COP 28: Elevating mountains for climate security solutions

COP 28: Elevating mountains for climate security solutions

news

"Mountains are under threat from climate change, posing significant risks to peace and security,” stressed Rosalaura Romeo, Coordinator of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, during a COP 28 side event on the links between security and climate change in mountains.

The event featured a diverse panel of speakers representing intergovernmental and civil...

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