4.9 High Rate of Disasters
97
of the particles naturally enter the atmosphere. However, air pollution caused by the
combustion of fossil fuels can also add them to the atmosphere. Aerosols influence
climate by creating a cooling effect. Various computer models suggest that tiny
aerosols globally lead to about 50% of the cooling, in the same way, GHGs cause
warming (Zanobetti and Peters 2015). Car pollution can also lead to the creation
of smog, which is a dangerous weather condition that minimizes visibility within
cities. Smog develops when large quantities of air pollutants are released into the
air, usually due to wind patterns.
4.8 Seasonal Changes
The change of seasons leads to the alteration of chemical and biological functions of
a whole ecosystem. It is because energy consumption and resources are drastically
added depending on the season. Many ecosystems function in a cause–effect
correlation. The loss or addition of one resource leads to a net effect in the entire
ecosystem. Seasonal shifts only occur for a short period and may not necessarily
affect the ecosystem. During winter, the death of a plant may not lead to mass
extinction or adverse environmental damage. This is because the ecosystem is
usually prepared for the winter, thus enabling all ecosystem aspects to cope despite
having limited resources. However, climate change causes ecosystems to become
negatively affected by seasonal changes. For instance, a prolonged winter would
severely affect the environment since other ecosystem services have not yet adapted
to such a change (Zeppel et al. 2014). Consequently, ecosystems adapt to seasonal
cycles, but changes in the climate drastically shift these cycles, thus harming all
ecosystem parts.
Seasonal changes also affect weather since it is a measure of the weather conditions for a short period. For example, they may affect the quantity of precipitation
and transpiration (Zeppel et al. 2014). However, it does not have a significant effect
on the climate. Regarding the biogeochemical cycles, there are minimal impacts
posed to them as a result of seasonal changes. As such, seasonal changes mainly
affect ecosystems and biodiversity.
Discuss two more ways in which seasonal changes affect weather.
4.9 High Rate of Disasters
There has been a significant increase in the number of disasters that afflict the
planet. Volcanic eruptions, natural bushfires, and earthquakes all impact the various
ecosystems on Earth (Fig. 4.1 shows the number of reported natural disaster events
97
of the particles naturally enter the atmosphere. However, air pollution caused by the
combustion of fossil fuels can also add them to the atmosphere. Aerosols influence
climate by creating a cooling effect. Various computer models suggest that tiny
aerosols globally lead to about 50% of the cooling, in the same way, GHGs cause
warming (Zanobetti and Peters 2015). Car pollution can also lead to the creation
of smog, which is a dangerous weather condition that minimizes visibility within
cities. Smog develops when large quantities of air pollutants are released into the
air, usually due to wind patterns.
4.8 Seasonal Changes
The change of seasons leads to the alteration of chemical and biological functions of
a whole ecosystem. It is because energy consumption and resources are drastically
added depending on the season. Many ecosystems function in a cause–effect
correlation. The loss or addition of one resource leads to a net effect in the entire
ecosystem. Seasonal shifts only occur for a short period and may not necessarily
affect the ecosystem. During winter, the death of a plant may not lead to mass
extinction or adverse environmental damage. This is because the ecosystem is
usually prepared for the winter, thus enabling all ecosystem aspects to cope despite
having limited resources. However, climate change causes ecosystems to become
negatively affected by seasonal changes. For instance, a prolonged winter would
severely affect the environment since other ecosystem services have not yet adapted
to such a change (Zeppel et al. 2014). Consequently, ecosystems adapt to seasonal
cycles, but changes in the climate drastically shift these cycles, thus harming all
ecosystem parts.
Seasonal changes also affect weather since it is a measure of the weather conditions for a short period. For example, they may affect the quantity of precipitation
and transpiration (Zeppel et al. 2014). However, it does not have a significant effect
on the climate. Regarding the biogeochemical cycles, there are minimal impacts
posed to them as a result of seasonal changes. As such, seasonal changes mainly
affect ecosystems and biodiversity.
Discuss two more ways in which seasonal changes affect weather.
4.9 High Rate of Disasters
There has been a significant increase in the number of disasters that afflict the
planet. Volcanic eruptions, natural bushfires, and earthquakes all impact the various
ecosystems on Earth (Fig. 4.1 shows the number of reported natural disaster events