Despite Valentine’s Day being here, the usual lover’s gift which is a rose or roses might be under threat.
A new report from Christian Aid shows how climate change is impacting growth in Kenya and around the world.
The report highlights that in East Africa extreme temperatures are expected to get both hotter and more frequent hence making rose growth highly challenging.
Horticulturists, florists and Kenyan climate experts went ahead to express concerns at the findings.
Wildfire Flowers Kenya general manager Patrick Mbugua said he is concerned about the impact of climate change on rose growing in Kenya.
"We’ve seen increased disease pressure due to unusual weather patterns, sometimes we have excessive hot weather which sees a jump in the number of pests, and other times unusually low temperatures which increases fungal infections, reducing yields," he said.
Mbugua said the availability of water for irrigation hasn't been affected yet since their source from Lake Naivasha has been very stable for the last 10 years.
He however said it is a concern that climate change could threaten the source.
The report cites a study which showed that droughts between 2020 and 2022 were found to have been more than 100 times more likely and more severe because of climate change.
It therefore warns that without government action to cut emissions and provide financial support to rose growers and others having to adapt to the climate crisis, millions of livelihoods will be at risk.
Director of Power Shift Africa Mohamed Adow said this is yet another example of the future we face if governments continue to let the climate crisis wreak havoc.
"Roses are a major part of the Kenyan economy, with more than half a million people relying on them for their livelihoods," Adow said.
He said the erratic climate, extreme temperatures and drought that harm rose cultivation is what scientists have been warning about for years.
"The inaction of political leaders to reduce carbon emissions has put an important industry in jeopardy," he said.
Botanical Horticulturist at Kew Gardens Charles Shi on his part said their horticulturists and scientists are working to collect and analyse scents from species of roses.
This research project he said will allow them to examine pollinator types associated with the species and map the change in pollinator populations from different habitats.
"Research such as this, along with directly addressing climate change where possible can play a part in preserving suitable regions for rose cultivation, protecting biodiversity and pollinators, promoting sustainable practices in rose production and safeguarding the economic benefits associated with the industry," Shi said.
Director of Sustainability at Florists Bloom and Wild Group Sibbe Krol said the flower industry needs to look to technology and innovation if it is to meet the challenge of reaching net zero.
"We are committed to playing our part in the transition and coming launch of bouquets designed and sourced to a carbon budget as well as the ongoing piloting of sea freight over the air, which could be the game changer the industry needs to reach net zero," Krol said.
The Director noted that this year, they are piloting sea freight for some of their stems grown in Kenya, including roses.
"We’ve seen great early results in terms of quality and this new method of transport reduces the footprint of those flowers by another 90 per cent," Krol noted.