Mountain Futures Conference – Nurturing seeds for change in the Anthropocene

The Conference aims to explore and assess the role of mountains in the Anthropocene, and to develop plausible visions for mountains in a future where unintended or unforeseen consequences of human activities may dominate natural processes. It will solicit, explore and develop visions of mountain futures that are socially and ecologically desirable, just, and sustainable in the Anthropocene.

The term Anthropocene­­ recognises that humans have become the dominant agents of environmental change. In keeping with the tendency to focus on the negative effects of human activities, the Anthropocene is generally viewed as an epoch of environmental destruction and degradation as consequences of human meddling. This view should not blind us to the positive potential of human transformations.

Specifically, mountains are areas of environmental and cultural diversity; they may serve as repositories of global learning and testing grounds for adaptations to global change.

Taking an innovative approach, the conference invites its participants to register their ‘seeds of change’: grass-root practices and ideas that show the positive potential of human activity in the environment in mountains.

The conference will be in English. Over 200 participants from all over the world are expected and will include researchers, stakeholders and globally renowned experts on mountain environments.

This conference is undertaken in partnership with the project Bright Spots: Seeds of a Good Anthropocene of ecoSERVICES and PECS.

Read more and find out about important dates here.