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Losing Our Crown |
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Relatively centrally located on our map, is the second highest mountain in Africa and the highest in Kenya recognized under UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It?s a vitally important water tower providing various ecosystem services to millions of people. The mountain and its ecosystem supports rich biodiversity as well as endangered species, all of which are threatened by the various pressures exerted on its ecosystems. Its location and the services it provides to man have on occasion prompted some to refer to it as the ?Heart and Lungs of Kenya?. Standing at over 5000 feet high with three major and a number of minor peaks covered in glistening white snow, is Mt. Kenya. However, this mountain, along with many others, is losing it white crown as a result of climate change. As we, as citizens of Earth, continue to pump various green house gases into the air, the earth?s temperature rises. It has been rising over a number of years and though the effects have been slow in showing, today we see the effects clearly and anticipate more in future should the trend not change. Some of the effects of climate change include rising of sea levels and flooded coastlines, loss of biodiversity, melting polar icecaps, acidified water and coral bleaching among many other effects. In Kenya, one of the already visible effects of climate change is the loss of glaciers on Mt. Kenya as a result of a lower rate of snow falling and a higher rate of ice melting. Of the 18 glaciers recorded in the late 1800s, only 10 are left today and with the current rate of melt, some scientists estimate that there will be none left within this century.  The loss of glaciers will affect the amount of water being released into springs that feed some of the rivers in Kenya and will also affect the various communities whose livelihoods depend on the tourist visits to the mountains. Kenya, along with other African countries, contributes very little to global greenhouse gas emissions, but is highly vulnerable to the impacts as seen in the form of glacial melt and extreme desertification rates among other effects. We should therefore strive to curb climate change and mitigate the effects it causes. A few of the ways we can do this can be found here. More information about the glacial melt of Mt. Kenya and other African mountains can be found in the 2012 UNEP report: Africa Without Glaciers. |
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10 Comments
Thanks Aness for sharing this informative article
Posted 04-04-2015 23:39
It's so sad to watch the mountain losing its snow-covered tops. :(
Posted 03-04-2015 17:41
Thank you for sharing the informative article, Aness :)
Yes, and the saddening thing is that people who have emitted the most CO2 don't live mountain areas. Sort of disparity between the emission and its effect.
Posted 01-04-2015 15:12
Climatic forcing of the glacier recession has accentuated in recent years all across due to global increase in GHG , which is a cause of worry undoubtedly as the shrinking of glaciers have a significant socioeconomic impact also apart from well known environmental impact. This could menace many species and would impact tourism as well. We must control deforestation , pollution and every bit of our actions which is contributing to global warming which is giving us warnings in the forms of melting glaciers.
Posted 01-04-2015 11:58
Loss of white cap is a concern in many places these days...collective effort is the key...thx for the informative report
Posted 01-04-2015 00:13
Melting glaciers are a grave concern. Feel sad for this & future is bleak.
I hope some thing is done to mitigate the situation soon.
Posted 31-03-2015 21:32
Loss of glaciers on Mt. Kenya is a serious threat to the ecological system, Aness.
Thanks for reporting.
I hope to see glaciers back so that the environment can be protected.
Let's keep our efforts to sustain the nature & keep Green house emission to the lowest.
Posted 31-03-2015 17:34
Thanks aness for sharing vivid repot and like Tyndall Gacier.
Posted 31-03-2015 14:23
Didnt know Kenya had such wonderful mountains (though I know Kenya has high altitude). Sister Aness so how do you think we can help Kenya's glaciers specifically? Am interested because I want to visit Kenya someday and still meet the glaciers :)
Posted 31-03-2015 10:19
Great information :)
Thanks for sharing
Posted 31-03-2015 04:01