Author: Hajoon Song - Internation School of Beijing
Polarizing weather conditions are being seen due to human-caused impacts on Earth. [Source: Getty Images]
Human-led activities have resulted in worldwide climate change and an ultimate transformation of the Earth at a surprising rate. One of the most significant consequences is the polarization of two weather conditions, Summer and Winter seasons, resulting from various climate change impacts. This article will analyze the reason and the background behind polarized weather conditions and how they will affect the environment.
As a result of climate change, summer weather conditions are becoming more intense, as with the high frequency of hot weather. Due to pollution from human-led activities, global warming has led to the intense change of summer. The recent highest temperature in the world was approximately 48 degrees Celsius, which has increased significantly over the past 10 years. Long exposure to this type of summer heat can result in detrimental health effects; humans and all living species have to be aware of burns and dehydration. Furthermore, rising temperatures also contribute to the increase in droughts and wildfires that will negatively affect the economy and geographic well-being of the environment. Moreover, the polarized summer weather will also result in changes to the overall production of precipitation. Some locations, depending on the country, might experience more frequent and intense rainfall events, leading to flooding-related weather catastrophes. In contrast, other regions will face a long period of drought, impacting agriculture, water availability, and ecosystems.
Climate change is also polarizing upon winter weather conditions, with significant implications for cold regions. Rising temperatures due to global warming have led to less severe winter weather, resulting in reduced snowfall and melting glaciers from the poles. This has severe consequences for the environment and also living species that heavily rely on cold temperatures, such as polar bear habitats and alpine regions. It will eventually destroy almost all the natural cycles of plants and animals, affecting their survival and forcing migration. Additionally, the decrease in snowfall will ultimately affect extracting water resources, as snow can act as a natural resource as it can release water during the warmer months. Similar to the summer weather conditions, reduced snowfall will impact water availability for agriculture, human consumption, and hydropower generation. The polarization of winter also leads to changes in weather patterns. Extreme winter weather events, such as heavy snowstorms and blizzards, can occur as a consequence of increased moisture in the atmosphere due to warmer temperatures.
The polarization of summer and winter globally, due to climate change, presents significant challenges for the Earth to handle. Adapting to and resolving these consequences is important for a sustainable future. Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants are vital in addressing the consequences of these polarized weather conditions.
The Korea Daily Youth Program
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