Why we need to keep our mountains majestic
(Global Heart) Mountains are much more than just a beautiful backdrop for a holiday photo or a setting for a classic film. They are the silent engines of our planet, providing life-sustaining resources to billions of people. However, these towering giants are currently under significant pressure. From the Alps to the Himalayas, mountain ecosystems are sending out a “distress call” that we can no longer afford to ignore.
What are the benefits of mountains?
It is easy to underestimate the importance of mountains when you live in a flat country, but their impact on global biodiversity is staggering. Although they cover only about a quarter of the Earth’s land surface, they are home to more than 85% of all bird, mammal, and amphibian species.
The incredible wealth of the peaks
They also act as the world’s “water towers.” Most of the Earth’s major rivers start high up in the peaks, and more than half of the global population relies on mountain freshwater every single day for drinking, farming, and energy. Even our dinner plates would look very different without them; essential crops like potatoes, tomatoes, apples, and quinoa all have their roots in mountain soil.
Understanding the life zones
As you climb a mountain, the environment changes rapidly. This creates different “life zones” based on altitude:
- Montane forests: These lower slopes are often covered in thick forests. In tropical regions, you might find “cloud forests” that are constantly wrapped in mist.
- The subalpine zone: As it gets colder and the air gets thinner, trees become smaller and twisted. This is where you find the “tree line”—the limit beyond which trees can no longer grow.
- Alpine tundra: Above the trees, the landscape turns into a rugged world of grasses, lichens, and hardy wildflowers like the famous Edelweiss.
Protecting mountains from threats
The biggest threat to these unique environments is the climate crisis. Mountains are warming much faster than the global average—roughly 25% to 50% faster since the 1950s. This rapid heat is causing glaciers to retreat at an alarming rate.
When it comes to glaciers, the numbers are nuanced. Even if we manage to keep global warming to 1.5°C, we are expected to lose nearly half of the world’s glaciers by number by 2100. While these smaller, local glaciers represent a smaller portion of the total ice mass (roughly 26%). Their disappearance is a devastating blow to local water supplies and tourism. If warming reaches 2.7°C—the path we are currently on—nearly 68% of all glaciers could disappear entirely.
This isn’t just a problem for hikers or skiers. When glaciers melt, it leads to:
- Water insecurity: A billion people downstream could lose their steady supply of freshwater.
- Natural disasters: Melting permafrost and unstable ice increase the risk of landslides and sudden “glacial lake outburst floods” that can wipe out entire villages.
- Loss of habitat: Animals that are adapted to the cold have nowhere higher to go, facing a “stairway to heaven” that ends in extinction.
Beyond climate change, overtourism and pollution are leaving their mark. Mount Everest has sadly earned the nickname of the “world’s highest garbage dump” because of the sheer amount of waste—about 8 kg per climber—left behind on the slopes.
What can we do to help?
While the situation is serious, it is not hopeless. Protecting mountains requires action on both a global and a personal level.
Global efforts: We need to move away from fossil fuels as quickly as possible to slow down the warming of the peaks. Governments can also create larger protected areas to give wildlife enough space to adapt and move as the climate shifts.
Local adaptation: In some regions, people are already getting creative. In Switzerland, some glaciers are being covered with giant fleece blankets in the summer to reflect heat. In Pakistan, communities are setting up early-warning systems to protect against floods.
Your contribution: When you visit the mountains, the rule is simple: leave no trace. Take all your rubbish back down with you, stay on the marked paths to avoid disturbing fragile plants, and consider visiting less-crowded destinations or travelling during the off-season to reduce the pressure on local infrastructure.
Mountains have given us culture, food, and water for millennia. It is time we return the favour by treating these fragile giants with the respect they deserve.
How do you usually approach sustainability when you’re traveling to natural landmarks?
Source: Global Heart
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