Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania has seen a dramatic decline in its glaciers over the past century. The disappearance of snow and ice on the peak and sides of Africa’s largest mountain is often cited as an example of the impact of global climate change. Closer to the ground, residents of the Mount Kilimanjaro area also are concerned about the impact of climate change on their livelihoods. Cathy Majtenyi went to Mount Kilimanjaro and files this report for VOA.
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| Mount Kilimanjaro glacier |
Once covered with snow and ice, the peak of Africa’s largest mountain is looking quite bare.
Mount Kilimanjaro’s glaciers have shrunk by more than 80 percent over the past century and scientists are predicting that Kilimanjaro’s ice cap could disappear by 2020.
Environmentalists often cite Mount Kilimanjaro as evidence of world-wide climate change.
Most scientists agree that decreased precipitation and increased solar radiation are the direct causes of Mt. Kilimanjaro’s shrinking ice cap. Continue Reading…