It’s time to celebrate International Mountain Day, held on 11 December 2015. This year’s theme is the promotion of products that are made in mountains, so see how you can help enrich the lives of the 915 million mountain people around the world. This timely message also coincides with the recent devastation of the UK’s Lake District, showcasing the fragility of communities in these environments.
International Mountain Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of mountains. It’s a time to celebrate their beauty as well as highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain developments, not to mention building partnerships to help bring positive change to the world’s mountains and highlands.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says on its
website: “Mountain people are among the world’s poorest and most disadvantaged. They frequently face political, social and economic marginalization and lack access to such basic services as health and education.
“International Mountain Day 2015 provides an occasion to highlight how mountain communities are protecting biodiversity by producing a large variety of typical products and providing crucial goods and services to all of us.”
Join in and share your celebrations of International Mountain Day 2015 on twitter with #welovemountains.
2015's theme, "Promoting mountain products for better livelihoods", concentrates on the high value, high quality products and tourism related services that these mountain communities can offer. Products range from coffee and cocoa to handicrafts, while tourists visit for activities like skiing, climbing or even nature and cultural heritage trails. If sustainably managed, these goods and services will boost local economies and promote development of the areas, all while protecting their biodiversity.
Test yourself on the FAO’s quiz to see if you know why mountains matter.
This year’s celebration of mountains comes at a time when Cumbria, one of England’s most mountainous counties, is still being ravaged by severe weather. However, while the unstoppable effects of more than a month’s worth of rain falling in one day continues to impact the area, many people and businesses in the Lake District stress that they are still
open to visitors; as the area requires a steady flow of income coming in to help fund much-needed repair work.
The Cumbria Community Foundation has launched a fundraising appeal to assist individuals and families whose homes have been significantly damaged.
You can also donate via text message. Text to 70070 with the message “FLUD15” and the amount you want to give – eg, “FLUD15 £10”.
Or send a cheque payable to “Cumbria Community Foundation” to CCF, Dovenby Hall, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 0PN.
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