Does Mt Kilimanjaro have snow?
Ask most people what they know about Mount Kilimanjaro and the answer is likely to include “it has snow.” This is because the mountain, located in Tanzania, is iconic for its snow-capped peak that rises 19,341 feet. But in reality, getting Kilimanjaro to keep its freshly powdered snow isn’t a sure thing.
At the top of Kilimanjaro, temperatures can plummet well past 0°C and with very little insulation. This is why assumptions that it must always have snow in abundance are off the mark. While the mountain is known for its snowy peak, the truth is that climate change is causing it to be snow-free for more periods of time.
An analysis in 2009 found that snow cover decreased by 15 percent between 2000 and 2007. A further study in 2019 showed a snow cover reduction of 57 percent from 1912 to 2017. When the snow is gone, so are the glacier flows that the mountain is known for and that provide water to those living in the nearby African villages.
So, why is it that Mount Kilimanjaro is shedding its snow? Many experts believe that the main culprit is climate change. Global temperatures are rising, and this has an especially significant effect on mountains like Kilimanjaro. Not only is the surface temperature higher in this region, but the clouds themselves that surround the mountaintop are becoming less dense and thicker. As a result, the clouds are not carrying as much moisture to the peak, leading to less snow.
In fact, research from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) reveals that our current climate change situation could lead to all of the mountain’s glaciers disappearing by 2060. This means Kilimanjaro will be entirely devoid of snow, which in turn would impact its unique alpine vegetation and any animals that depend upon the mountain’s snowy environment.
The effects of climate change are even slanting Kilimanjaro’s iconic stance. As temperatures rise, the water that is melted from the snow is eroding away the peak and creates supraglacial meltwater rivers. This melted water finds its way through ancient rocks and eventually can lead to the base of the mountain, slowly chipping away at Kilimanjaro’s familiar profile.
So the evidence suggests that while snow is still often seen atop Mount Kilimanjaro, its current state is not something that can be taken for granted. Even in a single day, the amount of snow on this mountain has been known to quickly evaporate, as the highest summit is only about 1/4-mile wide.
What is the future of Mt Kilimanjaro?
The future of Mt Kilimanjaro’s snow looks bleak if we don’t start to seriously tackle climate change. Previous estimates indicated that glaciers on Kilimanjaro will disappear entirely by mid-century, with the frigid temperatures that form snow and keep it on the mountain at peril. In order to protect Mt Kilimanjaro, we need to drastically reduce our carbon emissions.
We also need to think critically about how we can protect infrastructure at the base of the mountain that’s dependent on the snow’s presence. For example, the mountain’s snow and electricity-generating hydroelectric dams provide water and electricity to nearby communities, which means we need to not only think about how we protect the mountain but also the people who depend on it.
Additionally, there is the looming concern that if snow keeps disappearing from the mountain, what is left? In an area that is already prone to drought, losing a key source of water could painfully hit the local communities. It’s time for us to take a look at how we can prevent this from happening and start thinking about more innovative solutions.
More research could be done to understand how certain management practices might have an impact on the area’s snowfall. For example, planting trees near the peak could help to prevent snow from melting too quickly, as well as help to lessen the impact of the melting glaciers.
In order to protect Mt Kilimanjaro, it’s critical that we act sooner rather than later. With the mounting evidence that climate change is drastically altering the mountain’s snowfall, we must reevaluate how we can stop its demise and restore it to its former frozen glory.
Is there hope for Mt Kilimanjaro’s snow?
To answer the question of whether there is hope for Mt Kilimanjaro’s snow, depends on how quickly the world can take concerted action to address climate change. Our current rate of emissions reduction may not be enough for the mountain’s snow to have a serious chance of survival.
Doing more may involve collaborative efforts to not only reduce emissions but also develop ways to cool the region. Ideas such as painting rooftops and roads a lighter color to make them more reflective could help minimise temperatures near the mountain. Another proposal is to make the glaciers more resilient to global warming by covering them in a protective material. However, the implementation of these solutions is by no means easy.
In the meantime, there are some local initiatives helping to slow down the mountain’s snowfall reduction. Through the reforestation of nearby hills, the restoration of alpine wetlands, and the promotion of mini hydropower plants, these initiatives are being developed to help protect the mountain’s snow.
At the same time, large scale climate change solutions like the Paris Agreement need to be effectively followed up and implemented if we are to have any real hope for saving Mt Kilimanjaro’s snow. Emissions reduction targets must be set, energy policies updated, and global awareness raised on the importance of protecting this iconic mountain.
Have any solutions been implemented to counteract the effects of climate change on Mt Kilimanjaro?
In recent years, there have been several solutions implemented to help combat the effects of climate change on Mt Kilimanjaro. One such example is the Kilimanjaro Emission Reduction Program (KERP), which is an innovative carbon sequestration project that utilises a process known as agroforestry to help restore the mountain’s alpine habitat.
Agroforestry involves planting trees on the mountain’s lower slopes to act as a buffer for snowmelt and help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions coming from the mountain. The project has been so successful that the local communities have adopted it as a standard practice in restoring their agricultural land and helping their wider landscape.
Other solutions include the construction of hydropower dams, which provides a reliable source of energy and helps to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the area. The same dams also provide much needed water to local communities, enabling them to grow crops, and irrigate pastures for grazing animals.
Finally, the Kilimanjaro Commitment Program encourages residents of the nearby communities to implement sustainable practices in their everyday lives, such as reducing their reliance on fossil fuels and switching to renewable energy sources.
Are there long term solutions to Mt Kilimanjaro’s snow crisis?
Long-term solutions to Mt Kilimanjaro’s snow crisis require legislative action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cut our reliance on fossil fuels. It also requires structural changes in infrastructure, such as better public transportation and improved electricity grids that can support clean energy sources.
Economically, there needs to be incentives in place for businesses to develop and adopt new green technologies, as well as pricing structures that make renewable energy more affordable for households and businesses. Finally, legislation must be in place that rewards environmentally-friendly behaviour and penalises those who don’t adhere to it.
In the meantime, people can play their part in helping reduce emissions by decreasing their waste, switching to energy-efficient appliances, and using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Small changes — such as more efficient travel and increased recycling — can also help to reduce our carbon footprint.
These solutions should be considered in the long-term in order to help preserve the mountain’s snow and ensure the protection of its unique alpine habitat. Only then can we realistically hope to bring back the snowy slopes that made Mt Kilimanjaro an iconic symbol of Africa’s stunning landscapes.
