I want to begin by saying it finally started raining after a long spell of dryness. Coming from the southern part of this continent – I am rather confused by the bi-modal rainfall in this part of Africa. They have the short rains and long rains. To be honest in the last year I have been here – the local people have equally been confused about the state of rainfall too. As I understand the two seasons have somehow merged. Well in simple terms – there is no clear distinction between the two seasons. By virtual of being close to the equator – the two rainy seasons in Kenya should be quite distinct. Last year parts of this country and Uganda flooded immensely leaving several people homeless. This rather erratic shift and change in rainfall patterns is as a result of climate change.
Interestingly not many people seem to be talking about how this will alter our way of life here in Africa. I would not want to say this subject should be left to the environmentalists alone. Climate change is already affecting different sectors of our existence notably agricultural, energy, water, development, health – to mention but a few. The water sector that I am more involved in has already been incredibly affected. Last year in November I gave a keynote paper at a conference in South Africa on Climate Change Adaptation with a case study from Lake Bogoria – a rift valley lake in Kenya.
I must say this one of the most amazing places I have seen in Africa. A saline lake – this site is a protected area under a convention called Ramsar (http://www.ramsar.org/) – to which countries like Kenya are members and commit to protect wetlands for the benefit of both people and nature. Below is a picture of the lake as soon from the northern view.
Like other non-freshwater lakes within the rift valley – Lake Bogoria is dependent on freshwater inflow from the main River Waseges in order to have a good balance within its ecosystem to sustain the algae that the flamingoes depend on.
River Waseges flowing towards Lake Bogoria
Similarly the local communities upstream of this lake are also very dependent of this river for both domestic and agricultural purposes. One thing I should mention is that this river flows almost predominantly through a semi-arid area. This implies that during the peak of the dry season the flows in this river are pretty low. Low to the extent that sometimes the river stops flowing continuously into the lake for several weeks. The result of this has been dry riverbeds (see below) – which of course all things being equal no one would wish for this.
Dry river bed – tributary to River Waseges
In the upstream reaches intensive small scale irrigated agriculture (see below) is practiced and most if not all of these farmers depend on the River Waseges for irrigation.
Small scale irrigated agriculture in the upper Lake Bogoria catchment
In Eastern Africa reliance of communities on land for agriculture, rivers and other natural resources is very high. However, these resources are climate-sensitive and are likely to be affected severely. Under these circumstances of a changing environment – climate change brings yet another complexity.
Where do you draw the line? How much water should be left for the environment and how much should be used for agriculture and domestic purposes? What options are available to best manage the water resources so that we could adapt to the changes that are inevitable?
I will address these rather pertinent questions in detail in the next coming days particularly on how we have managed to try and strike a balance within this catchment area through engagement of local communities.
In the mean time – people and the environment need the rivers to keep flowing – because without this lifeline our very existence ceases to be what we know it.
“We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.” (~Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732)
Flowing stream
3 comments:
I don't know much about climate change other than what I've read in papers or on the internet and learnt from speaking with my dad who happens to be a geologist and environmentalist as well. However, I am concerned about the effects climate change may have on coastal erosion. Every sunday, I walk a 10-mile stretch than spans several beaches in Lagos and I see changes, that are alarming, from week to week. It seems that the Lagos (and perhaps the entire Nigerian) coast line may be threatened by erosion. Who knows; perhaps 10 - 20 feet or more per year of coastline is being eroded. Is coastal erosion one of the effects of climate change? And if so, what to do?
Good evening,
Congratulations cos I know now how tough is that trek and climbing Margherita peak with mist and snow is not simple, even for an experienced alpinist. Indeed I was on Margherita summit, August 5 th with a friend of mine, a kenyan woman from Chuka named Risper Nkirote Nyaga. She was already with me on Kili 2 years ago and came along with me on mount Kenya when I climbed Batian with my nephew 4 years ago. You can have a look at my photos galery on www.olidomidum.fr
The web adress of Risper if you wanted to share your experience; risnk2000@yahoo.com
Olivier Dumon from Cassis, France
I was searching for beautiful pictures from home and I just saw Subukia Valley pictures and my day was made.
I appreciate the work you guys are doing especially on the catchments that give lake Bogoria the much needed liquid.
I am studying in conservation in Europe and I can't wait to get home and give back to my beautiful country Kenya.
I am glad that you are giving something back and it makes my heart even gladder that it is in my community.
Long live beautiful Africa.
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