Mountains on the Climate Change Frontline



Mountains are the economic resource base for about 10 per cent of the world's population, providing us with forests and timber, water, hydro­electricity, and minerals, as well as providing facilities for tourism and recreation. The development and accessibility of many mountainous regions, especially in Europe and North America, allows millions to enjoy skiing in the winter, hiking in the summer, and spectacular scenery year­round.


Mountains also support unique ecosystems with a wide diversity of plants and animals, and represent some of the last remaining wilderness areas unchanged by human hands. But mountain regions are on the frontline of global warming, and their natural resources could be among the most severely impacted parts of the biosphere.



Glaciers in Recession ..............................................


Snow and Skiing ....................................................


Ecology and Ecosystems .............................................






Copyright 1996, The World Wide Fund For Nature

Copyright 1996, The World Wide Fund For Nature