Where is Kilimanjaro situated?
Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano located in North-Eastern Tanzania on the border of Kenya, near Moshi Town. It is located near the equator – within a few degrees of latitude of the equator. The Kilimanjaro National Park, which encircles the Kilimanjaro massif and covers an area of 756 sq km, has been a World Heritage site since 1987. The snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa with a peak elevation of 5,895 m above sea level.
The volcano can be divided into three distinct parts – the east, the west, and the exposed summit. The east and west divisions appear as two large, distinct peaks or cones, Kibo and Mawenzi respectively. The peak of Kibo is the highest point in Africa, at 5,895 m. The peak of Mawenzi is 5,149 m, making it the third highest peak on Kilimanjaro. The summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is exposed and not part of either Kibo or Mawenzi, is Uhuru peak, standing at 5,895 m.
Attracting thousands of mountaineers every year, Mount Kilimanjaro is a popular trekking destination and is accessible to most able-bodied climbers, providing they have enough determination, heart, and a good guide. Most people will set out with a tour guide in order to complete the climb. There are over half a dozen different routes that can be taken, and most of these routes will entail six to eight days of climbing. The number of days will depend on the amount of acclimatization each trekker requires.
Due to its low 2.2% oxygen content, the possibility of altitude sickness is high, so anyone attempting to climb the mountain should make sure that they are aware of what physical and mental challenges are ahead. Even with a good guide and the right equipment, many climbers underestimate the local weather conditions and the altitude, leading to instances of frost bite and hypothermia.
The Kilimanjaro National Park is home to a great diversity of flora and fauna. According to the Tanzanian National Parks Authority, the park is home to 4500 plant species, with large swaths of montane forests and grasslands covering much of the mountain’s lower slopes. This wildlife includes a variety of species including antelopes, elephants, monkeys, and lions.
In February 2021, Tanzania unveiled a new study conducted by the IFAS (International Fund for Animal Welfare) revealing the rapid decline of certain wildlife species on Kilimanjaro, primarily due to the drastic effects of climate change. The study found that snow coverage at the peak of Kilimanjaro had shrunk by 85% in the last century, resulting in a decrease in the food, habitat and water available for the region’s wildlife. The IFAS called for urgent action to address the issue of climate change and its impact on Kilimanjaro’s biodiversity.
Kilimanjaro’s local population also feel its effects, as the shrinking of glacial ice brings new problems such as water shortages, drought, and water contamination. The melting of Kilimanjaro’s snow and ice is believed to be closely linked to the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, which contributes to global warming.
How does Kilimanjaro’s melting snow impact the local people?
The snow and ice melting on Kilimanjaro is having a downstream effect that is affecting the lives of the region’s local people. As the snow melts, so does the glacier ice, which is the source of water for many of the local villages. As water becomes scarce, farming, livestock, and drinking supplies suffer, leading to food shortages and poverty.
In addition, melting snow has also been linked to landslides and river flooding in the region, with catastrophic effects on the population. In 2018, an enormous landslide destroyed 30 homes near the village of Mwika and claimed the lives of over 16 people. Experts believe that the disaster was caused by water from melting glaciers destabilizing the soil underneath the homes.
The lack of a reliable water source has resulted in Kilimanjaro’s local population turning to alternative, non-renewable sources such as charcoal and firewood for their fuel needs. This has resulted in excessive deforestation in the region, which is further contributing to climate change, locking the region in an ever-worsening cycle of poverty and environmental degradation.
The increased water demand from the local inhabitants, such as for bathing, washing and drinking, has also put an excessive burden on an already fragile ecosystem. Some estimates suggest that water from the glaciers of Kilimanjaro could run dry within the next decade, resulting in a major water crisis for not just the immediate region, but for the entire region.
What is being done to promote sustainability?
The Tanzanian government has taken a number of initiatives to protect Kilimanjaro, promote sustainability and reduce emissions. One such initiative was the establishment of the Kilimanjaro Participatory Forest Management Program in 2011, which aimed to promote sustainable exploitation of the mountain’s resources while at the same time preserving the environment.
Other initiatives include the Kilimanjaro Mobile Community-Based Natural Resources Management Programme, the Kilimanjaro Indigenous People Project, and the Kilimanjaro Green belt reforestation programme. These initiatives all aim to promote sustainable and green practices in the region, creating jobs and economic opportunities for local people and preserving the environment for generations to come.
In addition to these initiatives, the government has also taken steps to mitigate and adapt to climate change. This includes setting up weather stations, training communities on climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, and promoting renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
How can the global community help fight climate change in Kilimanjaro?
The global community can help the Tanzanian government fight climate change in Kilimanjaro by donating to the many initiatives that have been set up to protect the mountain and its biodiversity. Donations can be made to programmes such as the Kilimanjaro Indigenous People Project and the Kilimanjaro Green Belt Reforestation Programme, which are helping to protect the mountain and its local population. Donations are also needed for ways to store, collect and use rainwater, as well as measures to promote the use of renewable energy sources.
It is also important to spread awareness of the issue of climate change and its effects in Kilimanjaro and the region as a whole. This can be done through social media platforms, blogs, videos and documentaries, highlighting the changes that are occurring in the region, the initiatives that are being undertaken to combat climate change, and the lifestyle changes we can make to help reduce our carbon footprints.
At the same time, the global community can pressure their governments to take the necessary steps to reduce emissions and promote sustainable practices. This could include lobbying for carbon taxes, offsets and other measures that target carbon emitters, as well as promoting renewable energy sources and green technology.
How can individuals help protect Kilimanjaro?
Individuals can also help protect Kilimanjaro by reducing their carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices. This could include using public transportation instead of cars, switching to renewable energy sources, and generally reducing the amount of energy being consumed in the home. Individuals can also promote sustainable tourism practices by supporting responsible tour operators, making sure to leave no trace when visiting and always following the rules of the park.
It is also important to spread awareness of Kilimanjaro’s plight in order to promote fundraising, donations and support from individuals and companies. This can be done in the form of social media posts, blogs, videos and documentaries that highlight the potential effects of climate change on Kilimanjaro and the local population.
Finally, individuals can support local conservation initiatives in the region. This could be done by volunteering their time, donating money or materials, or simply spreading the word about the work that is being done to protect Kilimanjaro.
Conclusion
Kilimanjaro is one of the most iconic mountains in the world, but its future is uncertain due to climate change. However, the Tanzanian government, global community and individual citizens can all take steps to protect Kilimanjaro from the effects of climate change. Through donations, lobbying, sustainable practices, and raising awareness, we can all do our part to protect this iconic mountain and its biodiversity.
