Mid-Latitude Region Network in Bhutan to address climate crisis
Last Updated on December 20, 2024 8:05 am
Paro—Experts, policymakers, and young professionals from across mountainous nations have convened in Paro for the six-day International Expert Group Meeting (EGM) of the Mid-Latitude Region Network (MLRN).
The meeting, themed “Accelerating Collaborative Scientific and Policy Response to Climate Change and Improve Socio-Ecological Resilience”, focuses on addressing the pressing impacts of climate change and fostering resilience in mountain ecosystems.
Her Majesty Gyalyum Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the founding president of Tarayana Foundation, graced the opening of the MLRN’s annual International Conference.
The conference is co-hosted by the Ojeong Resilience Institute (OJERI) of Korea University, the Tarayana Foundation, and the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation.
OJERI, which hosts the MLRN secretariat, has formalised collaborations with key institutions and experts from over 150 countries.
Professor Woo-Kyun Lee, Director of OJERI, emphasised the need for science-based approaches and mitigation responses to improve social, ecological, and landscape resilience to address the cascading impacts of climate change.
“We have embarked on an ambitious mission to deepen our understanding of the impact of global climate change on society, biology, and the environment, as well as how these stakeholders interact,” he said.
MLRN has organised several international EGMs, which serve as a global platform for policy research dialogues aimed at providing transformational responses to climate change. “These dialogues help share research findings and explore alternative pathways (policy, programmes, and technologies) for securing water, food, energy, and ecosystem services,” he said.
The Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report highlights alarming projections of climate-induced disasters. By 2030, the number of global disasters is expected to rise to 560 annually, with extreme weather events disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations, particularly in mountain regions.
Mountain ecosystems, which harbour immense biodiversity and cultural wealth, face critical challenges, including habitat degradation, biodiversity loss, and increasing conflicts between wildlife and nomadic communities. The impacts extend downstream, threatening water, food, and energy security for millions
Professor Sonam Wangyel, Research Professor, OJERI, and Coordinator-Mid latitude said that the third pole climate initiative was started about five years ago which studies the climate vulnerabilities and its address geo-politically.
The study is carried out in five countries, namely Mongolia, Nepal, Bhutan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, to collect primary data on disruption to water, food, and energy accessibility for communities living in harsh mountain landscapes and downstream.
“These climate-induced challenges, compounded by the loss of biodiversity and habitat, the degrading quality of pasture and land, and increasing conflicts between wildlife and nomads, all pose increasing threats to the socio-ecological resilience of the mountains,” he said.
The Tarayana Foundation and OJERI signed a Memorandum of Understanding yesterday. The partnership will focus on joint research, exchange programs, and securing funds for sustainable development and nature-based solutions.
The 2023 MLRN EGM was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, and was attended by 50 experts, including politicians, regional leaders, and young professionals.