International Mountain Day
International Mountain Day is an annual observance celebrated on December 11. International Mountain Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002, and it aims to raise awareness of the importance of mountains to life on Earth.
Mountains cover about 22% of the Earth’s land surface and are home to about 15% of the world’s population. Mountains are important sources of water, food, and energy. They also play a role in regulating the climate.
However, mountains are also vulnerable to a number of threats, including climate change, deforestation, and overgrazing. These threats can lead to soil erosion, landslides, and flooding.
See also: Deep-sea mountains: Earth’s unexplored ecosystems that are teeming with life.
International Mountain Day is an opportunity to celebrate the importance of mountains and raise awareness of their threats. It is also an opportunity to take action to protect mountains and the people who live there.
Some of the history of International Mountain Day:
- In 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) recognized the importance of mountains and called for the establishment of an International Year of Mountains.
- In 2002, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed December 11 as International Mountain Day.
- The first International Mountain Day was celebrated in 2003.
- Since then, International Mountain Day has been celebrated every year by organizations around the world.
How to celebrate:
- Climb a mountain in your area or go hiking or camping.
- Join or start a clean-up along mountain trails.
- Learn about the importance of mountains and the threats they face.
- Raise awareness about mountains in your local community.
- Engage in development projects that reward mountain people for their stewardship services.
Fun Facts:
- Mountains host about half the world’s biodiversity hotspots and 30% of all key biodiversity areas.
- More than half of the world relies on mountain freshwater every day.
- 2002 was declared the UN International Year of Mountains.
- Mountains cover 27% of the earth’s landmass.
- Mountains regions provide freshwater, energy and food and host about half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.
- Most food crops, including tomatoes, potatoes, corn and apples, originate in the mountains.
- The Himalayas has thirty of the world’s highest mountains.
- Mount Everest is the world’s highest mountain.
#InternationalMountainDay #MountainsMatter