从伦佐拉山口眺望珠穆朗玛峰日落时分的峰顶，尼泊尔 Summit of Mount Everest at sunset, seen from Renjo La, Nepal (© shoults/Alamy)

从伦佐拉山口眺望珠穆朗玛峰日落时分的峰顶，尼泊尔 Summit of Mount Everest at sunset, seen from Renjo La, Nepal (© shoults/Alamy)

天地相接之处 Where the sky meets Earth

国际山岳日

每年12月11日，我们庆祝“国际山岳日”， 以此致敬塑造地球的雄伟山脉与哺育生命的冰川。从起伏的阿尔卑斯山到巍峨的喜马拉雅，山地覆盖了地球陆地面积的近四分之一，栖息着全球约 15% 的人口与近一半的生物多样性热点地区。世界最高峰珠穆朗玛峰，海拔逾29,000英尺，象征着人类的追求与自然的壮丽。其冰川滋养着无数河流，维系着数以百万计的生命，证明了山脉不仅是风景，更是地球的生命线。

冰川储存着全球约70%的淡水资源，但随着全球气温上升，它们正以惊人的速度融化。这一变化威胁着农业、水资源安全、能源生产，以及数十亿人的生计。冰川退缩与永久冻土融化也加剧了洪水、山体滑坡与侵蚀等灾害，使社区与基础设施面临风险。

今年国际山岳日的主题为：“冰川关乎山地及其以外地区的水源、粮食与生计”，强调了保护这些关键生态系统的紧迫性。无论是仰望珠峰的雄姿，还是徒步于家乡的山岭，这一天都提醒我们重新连接地球的垂直世界，铭记山脉在生命、气候与生物多样性中所扮演的不可替代的角色。

International Mountain Day

Every December 11, we celebrate International Mountain Day, honoring the majestic peaks that shape our planet and the glaciers that support life. From the rolling Alps to the towering Himalayas, mountains cover nearly a quarter of Earth's land and host 15% of the world's population and nearly half of its biodiversity hotspots. Mount Everest, the world's highest peak at over 29,000 feet, stands as a symbol of human aspiration and natural beauty. Its glaciers feed rivers sustaining millions, showing that mountains are more than scenery—they are lifelines.

Glaciers, holding about 70% of the world's fresh water, are melting rapidly due to rising global temperatures. This threatens agriculture, water security, energy production, and the livelihoods of billions. Retreating glaciers and thawing permafrost also heighten hazards like floods, landslides, and erosion, putting communities and infrastructure at risk.

This year, International Mountain Day is themed 'Glaciers matter for water, food, and livelihoods in mountains and beyond,' which emphasizes the urgent need to protect these vital ecosystems. Whether marveling at Everest or hiking a local ridge, the day invites us to reconnect with Earth's vertical landscapes and recognize their essential role in life, climate, and biodiversity.