Crucial Climate Dialogue

As the earth’s temperatures keep rising, mountainous regions are being hit the hardest. Glaciers that have existed for thousands of years are melting rapidly, threatening the vital water sources. Billions of people depend on these water supplies. Fragile alpine ecosystems are being upended by shifts in weather patterns and the arrival of new species. And for the indigenous communities that have called these mountains their home for generations, their traditional ways of life are under unprecedented threat. It is against this backdrop that Nepal is hosting a major international dialogue this week to bring the global attention to the climate crisis faced by mountainous countries. For too long, the specific vulnerabilities and challenges of mountainous countries have been overshadowed in global climate discussions dominated by low-lying island states and coastal regions. While those concerns are valid, there is a risk of the mountain voice being drowned out altogether.