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landscape 1586590 1920The European Geosciences Union General Assembly took place earlier this month, bringing over 15,000 scientists from across the world together in Vienna. Of the sessions convened, over 100 had a mountain focus - including 'Mountain Climates: Processes, Change, and Related Impacts' co-coordinated by the MRI.   

The annual European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly is Europe's largest and most prominent geosciences event, attracting scientists from all over the world. 

March 2018 marked a significant Swiss anniversary: 30 years since the launch of project HADES. But although a name shared with the Greek god of the underworld might evoke images of darkness and death, HADES is all about shedding light on a substance essential to life: water.

HADES, the Hydrologischen Atlas der Schweiz, is a comprehensive scientific reference tool mapping and collating data on water in Switzerland. The result of a huge collaborative effort by Swiss hydrologists, HADES was launched by the Swiss government in 1988 as a means of providing essential information for water conservation and management. The original idea, however, was first developed by MRI Chair Prof. Dr. Rolf Weingartner two years earlier as part of his PhD thesis – and he continues to lead the project three decades on.

mountain lakeThis year's Mountain Climate Conference theme is 'Anticipating Climate Change Impacts in Mountains: Embracing Variability.' Abstract submission is open until 2 July 2018. 

Taking place in Colorado, USA, 17-21 September, the 2018 Mountain Climate Conference will explore topics at the intersection of climate and other scientific disciplines, including hydrology, ecology, and glaciology. The event will include oral and poster presentations from preeminent keynote speakers, while also highlighting exceptional early-career scientists. It also aims to provide forums for resource managers, and integrate undergraduate and graduate students into the professional community.

SNAPP announcement SmallThe Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP) is inviting funding proposals for interdisciplinary teams to develop evidence-based solutions to the most critical challenges facing humans and the planet - and the MRI is offering its support.

For 2018, SNAPP has announced a request for proposals to convene interdisciplinary working groups of 12-18 people from diverse organizations. With support from SNAPP funding, these 'Science to Solutions' teams will meet for a number of collaborative sessions (lasting 3-5 days each) over the course of 18-24 months in order to deliver rapid solutions to challenges at the intersection of nature conservation, sustainable development, and human well-being.

This review is a vital part of the IPCC assessment process, and aims to include the broadest possible scientific perspective. The MRI encourages the mountain research community to get involved by registering as an expert reviewer for Chapter 2: High Mountain Areas.

The Expert Review of the First Order Draft of the IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC) will take place from 4 May to 29 June 2018.

MOOC water and climate changeThis massive open online course (MOOC) will explore climate change in mountain regions, its impacts on the quality and quantity of water in mountain regions, and the risks related to changing water resources.

Initiated and funded by the University of Geneva through its Institute for Environmental Sciences, this MOOC approaches issues of climate change and water in mountains from an interdisciplinary perspective.

iceberg 471549 1280The report will provide up-to-date knowledge on all aspects of climate change, supporting policymakers, international climate change negotiators, and other key stakeholders in their future decision-making.

Earlier this month, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) announced the final selection of experts nominated to work on its Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) – the next comprehensive evaluation of the science related to climate change. Among them were three Mountain Research Initiative representatives.

annapurna 2376966 1280 200x150Abstract submission is now open for Mountains 2018, an exciting platform for knowledge exchange and discussion on the topic of sustainable development in mountain regions. 

Mountains 2018 takes place in Nova Friburgo, Brazil, 10-14 December, and will bring together international scholars, professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders involved with multiple aspects of the mountain world.

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