UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres calls on mountain countries to take bold action on climate change mitigation and adaption
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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.
Restoring mountain ecosystems - Challenges, case studies and recommendations for implementing the UN Decade Principles for Mountain Ecosystem RestorationpublicationMountains are home to a variety of ecosystems that provide vital services directly to 1.1 billion people and billions of others living in connected lowland areas. Half of humanity depends on mountains for the provision of freshwater alone. Mountain ecosystems cool local temperatures, increase water retention, provide carbon storage, and... Download » |
COP28: FAO marks International Mountain Day 2023 with focus on restoring ecosystemsnewsThe Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today marked International Mountain Day 2023 with a high-level meeting at the UN Climate Conference COP28 in Dubai and the launch of a report that offers recommendations and uplifting examples of successful mountain ecosystems' restoration projects. International Mountain Day...
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International Mountain Day 2023eventRestoring mountain ecosystems is the theme of this year's International Mountain Day on 11 December. This theme was selected to fully include mountains in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021–2030, co-led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and the UN Environment Programme. The Decade is an opportunity to...
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UNFCCC COP 28 / Cryosphere Pavilion event - Mountains of opportunity: how to leverage funding for climate adaptationeventMountain areas are key for climate adaptation efforts due to their transboundary and global importance (natural hazards, water towers, global biodiversity hotspots), high vulnerability to climate change, and tendency to host marginalized and isolated communities. This event, organized by the Adaptation at Altitude programme, will focus on the importance...
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UNFCCC COP 28 - Taking Action for Humanity and the PlaneteventClimate change presents a threat to human health. It affects the physical environment and ecosystems communities depend on for their health, livelihoods, survival and well-being. Climate-sensitive health risks are disproportionately felt by the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. The Health in All Policies approach can contribute to improved governance and...
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Enabling resilient and sustainable food systems in the Hindu Kush Himalaya International ConferenceeventThe International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), in collaboration with the Government of Nepal and the Green Resilient Agricultural Productive Ecosystems (GRAPE) project, will bring together stakeholders from the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) countries. Researchers, experts, practitioners, academics and policymakers will explore best practices, solutions, approaches and policies on...
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