Solutions for Africa's Mountainous Regions

Reforesting Africa’s highest mountain could halt severe water shortages in Tanzania, according to a new report titled, “2016 Sustainable Mountain Development in East Africa in a Changing Climate.” Mount (Mt.) Kilimanjaro, which is the highest mountain in Africa at 19,341 feet, has forests that are a source of water for the surrounding towns and the wider region. Water from the mountain feeds into one of the largest rivers, the Pangani, which in turn provides food, fuel, and building materials to the rest of East Africa.

“Because there are now fewer trees to trap water from clouds, the annual amount of dew on Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is believed to have fallen by 25 percent. This drastic decline is equivalent to losing enough drinking water to supply 1 million people annually,” notes the report.

According to the executive director of the United Nations Environment Program, Erik Solheim, “Mt. Kilimanjaro is only one example of how climate change is severely damaging Africa’s majestic mountains and the people who depend on them. Across the continent, the damage done to these vital ecosystems is depriving people of the basic building blocks of life. As climate change intensifies, it is essential that governments act swiftly to prevent further harm.”

https://face2faceafrica.com/article/climate-change-solutions-east-africas-mountainous-region

David Thompson

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