Ahead of the United Nation’s International Mountain day (December 11, 2016), the European Association of Mountain Areas (Euromontana), the Mountain Research Centre (CIMO) of the Polytechnic institute of Bragança (IPB), and the Association for the Development of Viticulture in the Douro Region (ADVID) in Portugal, successfully held the European Mountain Convention: “Mountains— vulnerability to climate change: how can people and territories adapt and mitigate its effects?” in Portugal from October 3rd to 5th 2016.
This three-day event was devoted to the topic of climate change in Europe’s delicate and vulnerable mountainous regions. The convention focus was on real life experiences along with technical knowledge, showing how these will play a vital role in providing solutions and integrated strategies for adapting/mitigating climate change for future generations. Euromontana recognized that climate change has impacts across many different industries, stakeholders, and borders. Euromontana is working to encourage the European people to recognize the effects of climate change and work towards limiting the damage caused by it.
Euromontana combined the experience and technical knowledge of the convention attendees to create an innovative and modern declaration that highlights key areas in which industry and individuals can reduce their impact on the climate. These areas include proactive practices in agriculture and forestry, sustainable use of water, and innovation in natural hazard management. For more detailed information on the endeavors and pursuits of the Euromontana and their declaration towards the European mountain ranges please see Bragança Declaration « Face the challenge of climate change: adaptation for future generations
This innovative declarations’ intention is to enable European institutions and the public to modify their daily behaviors to minimize their impact on the climate. They are setting the foundation for scientific research and an open dialogue platform to encourage the changes required to protect Europe’s mountain ranges.