Kilimanjaro ice-cap melting at terrific rate says new report
Mount Kilimanjaro’s ice sheet has long been used as a giant thermometer to gauge global warming. Now a new scientific report claims it is in continuous and rapid retreat. The good news is there is no consensus on whether the melting can be blamed on human polluters, indicating that there are no easy answers to this front-page problem. The report says the ice-cap on Tanzania’s famed mountain has melted 26% since 2000, while 85% of the ice cover that was there in 1912 has gone. The rapid melting over the past 10 years will no doubt cause a stir, but one scientist says the most recent thaw is a result of a decline in moisture levels, rather than a warming atmosphere. What that actually means in terms of climate change will keep scientists busy for some time. Read more: New York Times
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