The **glaciers of Mount Kenya**, the second highest peak in Africa and a [UNESCO World Heritage Site](https://noticiasambientales.com/compromiso-ambiental/la-unesco-inscribe-13-nuevos-lugares-como-patrimonio-de-la-humanidad/), could completely **disappear** by 2030, as warned by scientists.
This phenomenon reflects the consequences of **climate change** on the continent, putting at risk both the **local ecosystems** and the communities that depend on this revered mountain.
## Glaciers of Mount Kenya on the Brink of Disappearance
The ice masses of Mount Kenya have experienced a drastic contraction due to the [rising temperatures](https://noticiasambientales.com/ciencia/se-espera-un-aumento-de-27-grados-en-las-temperaturas-aun-cumpliendo-el-acuerdo-de-paris/) and changes in the **Indian Ocean humidity** that feed these **tropical glaciers**.
According to a 2024 satellite study, Mount Kenya retains only 4.2% of its **glacier surface** compared to the initial measurements around 1900. This retreat has been particularly rapid in recent years, with a loss of over 50% between 2016 and 2022.
**Kilimanjaro** and the **Rwenzori Range** are facing similar situations, retaining only 8.6% and 5.8% of their glaciers, respectively, highlighting a large-scale regional issue.
## Impacts on Ecosystems and Communities
The disappearance of Mount Kenya’s glaciers has devastating effects:
– **Dry Rivers**: Water scarcity affects the fauna, flora, and local populations dependent on these water resources.
– **Vulnerable Ecosystems**: Mountain forests, crucial for water catchment in East Africa, become even more relevant as natural reservoirs.
In a 2011 study, Rainer Prinz emphasized that the lack of snow on glaciers deprives them of the **natural protection** against solar radiation, hastening their disappearance.
## A Call for Conservation
The **imminent loss of glaciers** on Mount Kenya symbolizes a broader challenge in the fight against climate change.
This phenomenon not only **threatens biodiversity** and **natural resources** but also impacts cultural traditions and livelihoods of those living in the region.
*Cover Photo: Luis Tato/AFP*
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