Georgia’s mountainous regions, known for their landscapes, biodiversity, and heritage, are increasingly vulnerable to climate change. This session will discuss how the climate crisis impacts local economies, development, and environmental sustainability. Climate change is causing more frequent and severe events like flash floods, landslides, droughts, and wildfires, threatening livelihoods and infrastructure, especially in rural communities reliant on farming and tourism. A tragic example occurred on August 3, 2023, when a mudslide hit Glola village in Racha, killing 32 people and damaging infrastructure. Similarly, forest fires are affecting Borjomi, another popular tourist destination.
Hilla Wessel