Mesoamerica

Attachments: 

Print_Brief_Mesoamerica.pdf

Sustainable Mountain Development RIO 2012 and beyond

Mountains in Meso America cover 25.2% of the region and hold a remarkable 12% of the world’s biodiversity on only about 2% of the earth’s land surface. A total of 86 indigenous ethnic groups occupy 54.2% of the mountain territories. The greatest global threat to sustainable mountain development in the region is climate change. Other threats are mining, expansion of hydropower generation, urban sprawl into mountain areas, deforestation, and soil erosion.

Attachments: 

MESO AMERICA FINAL Mountains Report.pdf

The main threats to mountains are: mining industry, hydro-electric dams, and climatic impacts from climate change. There is no mountain culture in Mesoamerica which is comparable to the mountain culture in the Andes, Alps or Himalaya. A mountain culture must be developed at all levels and mountains must be part of local, national and regional agendas. 86 indigenous ethnic groups occupy 118,136 km2 or 54.2% of mountain territories in Mesoamerica. Indigenous ethnic groups must be at the core of decision-making of sustainable development in mountainous areas in the region.