International Mountain Day
December 11 · Level 5 · #1208 of 2238
International Mountain Day highlights how much people and nature depend on mountain ranges. They shelter rare plants and animals and are a key source of fresh water.
How it is celebrated: people go hiking, attend conferences, photo shows and school lessons, while local communities and conservationists discuss how to protect mountain forests, glaciers and highland traditions.
Mountains supply fresh water to roughly half of humanity, so a shrinking glacier far away can matter to people in lowland cities. The UN declared 2002 the International Year of Mountains, and the day itself has been observed since 2003.