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.
Safeguarding Mountain Ecosystems: A Global ChallengepublicationSafeguarding Mountain Ecosystems: A Global Challenge provides an overview of the relevant research in mountain regions worldwide, identifying existing challenges and providing an understanding of the diversity of mountain ecosystems in different regions. Mountain ecosystems are increasingly vulnerable to modified climate conditions and other global changes (demographic, migration, urbanization). In... Download » |
Restoring mountain ecosystems: celebrations to mark International Mountain Daypeak to peakThe December 2023 issue of Peak to Peak highlights the upcoming events to celebrate International Mountain Day. Top news stories cover innovation in mountains and communities coming together for change. This month's newsletter also features the work of two members of the Mountain Partnership, the International Network for Bamboo and... Download » |
UNFCCC COP 28 - Earth Information Day 2023eventEarth Information Day 2023 will provide a dialogue for exchanging information on the state of the global climate system and developments in systematic observation (FCCC/SBSTA/2019/2 para. 58). It will comprise a plenary session with an opening segment and three panel sections, as well as a World Café (WC) session. The choice of...
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Mountain Ecosystems and Resources ManagementpublicationIn "Mountain Ecosystems & Resources Management", readers embark on a journey through the intricate world of mountain ecosystems and the essential strategies for responsible resource management. This book aims to serve as a guide for understanding the unique dynamics of these landscapes and the challenges they face in an ever-changing... Download » |
2023 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 28)eventThe 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will take place on 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Conference will include several mountain-related events across official side events, exhibits and pavilions,...
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Genetic conservation initiatives in mountain areas promote climate resiliencenewsIndigenous Peoples and local communities engage in vital efforts to preserve plant genetic resources (PGR) at their centres of origin, ensuring the conservation of diversity. However, there lacks a standardized system for preserving PGR on Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' land. On 23 November 2023, experts working on the ground presented...
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