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.
Mountain Partnership Secretariat: Annual report 2023publicationThe Mountain Partnership is the United Nations alliance dedicated to mountain peoples and environments. The Secretariat of the Mountain Partnership is hosted by FAO. The 2023 Annual Report of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat (MPS) outlines the MPS' key achievements throughout the year, including supporting the observance of the Five Years... Download » |
Enhancing mountain livelihoods and resiliencepublicationThis fact sheet, published by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, highlights initiatives aimed at enhancing livelihoods and resilience in mountain and island ecosystems. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by these regions—from climate change impacts to economic vulnerabilities—the initiatives harness local potential... Download » |
Training for changepublicationThis fact sheet is published by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. It details the Secretariat's capacity development initiatives aimed at enhancing expertise in sustainable mountain development and addressing the limited availability of specialized courses on mountain themes. Each year, the Secretariat... Download » |
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 » |
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