Mountain solutions for a sustainable future – innovation, adaptation and youth
Over centuries, mountain communities have developed solutions to adapt to their harsh environments, deal with climate change, reduce poverty and protect or restore biodiversity.
This International Mountain Day 2024 (IMD 2024) focuses precisely on the capacity and needs of its people through a triple approach: “Mountain solutions for a sustainable future – innovation, adaptation and youth.”
Innovation is essential for addressing complex mountain-related issues. It encompasses technological advancements as well as creative problem-solving such as climate-smart agriculture.
While dealing with climate change’s pressures on mountains, adaptation becomes imperative for building resilience and reducing vulnerability. Adaptation strategies include solutions such as ecosystem-based approaches to disaster risk reduction and the integration of Indigenous knowledge systems.
Lastly, the active participation of youth is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of mountain solutions. IMD 2024 promotes decent work and quality employment for young persons, accessible training, and entrepreneurship opportunities that contribute to the sustainable use of mountain resources.
Why we need an International Mountain Day
Mountains are natural jewels we should treasure.They are home to 15% of the world´s population and host about half of the world's biodiversity hotspots. They provide freshwater for everyday life to half of humanity, helping to sustain argiculture and supply clean energy and medicines.
Unfortunately, mountains are under threat from climate change ,overexploitation and contamination, increasing the risk s for the people and the planet.
As the global climate continues to warm, mountain glaciers melt affecting freshwater supplies downstream, and mountain people — some of the world’s poorest — face even greater struggles to survive.
Steep slopes mean the clearing of forest for farming, settlements or infrastructure can cause soil erosion as well as the loss of habitat. Erosion and pollution harm the quality of water flowing downstream and the productivity of soil. In fact, over 311 million rural mountain people in developing countries live in areas exposed to progressive land degradation, 178 million of whom are considered vulnerable to food insecurity.
This problem affects us all. We must reduce our carbon footprint and take care of these natural treasures.
International Mountain Day, celebrated since 2003 through FAO, creates awareness about the importance of mountains to life, highlights the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and builds alliances that will bring positive change to mountain peoples and environments around the world.
Did you know?
- Of the 20 plant species that supply 80% of the world's food, six originated and have been diversified in mountains: maize, potatoes, barley, sorghum, tomatoes, and apples
- Mountain ecosystems are under threat from pollution. Microplastics have even been found as high as the summit of Mt. Everest.
- Up to 84 percent of endemic mountain species are at risk of extinction, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Picking berries, protecting mountains
Rigzin hails from Tingret village in Miyar valley, and is fondly known as ‘Charma Auntie’ among the villagers. Along with other women in her community, she has been engaged in the traditional practice of collecting and processing Seabuckthorn for many decades.
