Climate Change Adaptation in Mountains
Mountains cover roughly one quarter of the Earth’s land surface but host an impressive array of natural resources – 25% of terrestrial biodiversity, 60% of all biosphere reserves, freshwater supplies for lowland irrigation and domestic use, and important raw materials such as minerals and timber. They provide essential ecosystem services for livelihoods as well as opportunities for recreation and tourism.
Mountains are also currently home to about 1 billion people. And both the people and the mountains are particularly vulnerable to climate change.
Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are disrupting water flows and affecting ecosystems, creating and worsening natural hazards and threatening livelihoods across the globe. But mountain ecosystems are more sensitive to climate change compared to other terrestrial ecosystems, and mountain dwellers have less income on average compared to people living downstream. As a result, the effects of climate change in the mountains fall disproportionately on both ecosystems and people.
This theme aims to connect those working on and interested in climate change adaptation in mountains. It provides a space for knowledge and experience sharing and discussions, with the aim of supporting and connecting international actors working in this space. It is hosted by the Adaptation at Altitude ([email protected]) programme, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
Solutions database for adaptation in mountains
As part of this work the [email protected] team have developed (and will continue to build) the Adaptation at Altitude Solutions Portal - a global database of CCA solutions for mountain regions. Find out more and how to contribute to the portal.
Global Mountains Community of Practice: Have your say!
Through the [email protected] programme we are looking to help strengthen knowledge and knowledge exchange on climate change adaptation in mountains. As well as the Adaptation at Altitude Solutions Portal we are looking to develop a Global Mountain Community (GMC) on climate change adaptation in mountains that connects people working on similar, issues and challenges, and who can benefit from one another. Find out more about the Global Mountain Community (GMC) and next steps here.
We invite you to use this form to share your interests, needs and what you would like to see from these activities going forward. Your responses will inform how we design and develop our work in this focus area going forward.
Please take 5 minutes to complete our survey >
Other ways to get involved:
- Use the category buttons below to explore knowledge shared by peers working on climate change adaptation in mountains.
- Scroll down to 'Members' to see who else is working on climate change adaptation in mountains.
- To stay up-to-date with the latest articles, case studies and discussions happening in this space click "Join" below.
- To share your projects, reports from the field and other insights click on 'Share' in the menu bar above or contact Rosie Witton.
- To explore ongoing conversations, make an announcement or start a discussion, visit the CCA in Mountains discussion forum.