Mountain regions are often seen as timeless landscapes, but many are undergoing rapid environmental change.
Glaciers in several parts of the world are retreating as temperatures rise, affecting freshwater supplies for millions of people downstream.
Changing weather patterns are also increasing risks such as landslides, flooding and ecosystem disruption.
Mountain habitats are especially sensitive because species adapted to colder conditions may have limited ability to move higher as temperatures increase.
At the same time, mountains play a critical role in global water systems, storing snow and ice that feed rivers and agriculture.
Communities living in mountain regions are increasingly adapting through new infrastructure, water management and environmental monitoring.
Experts say mountains act as early warning systems for climate change, revealing shifts that may later affect wider regions.
In that sense, what happens at high altitude can have consequences far beyond the peaks themselves.
