Preview

Anthropogenic Activities Have Modified Weather and Climate

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1612 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Anthropogenic Activities Have Modified Weather and Climate
change is the alteration of weather and climate attributes orvariables and it is a result of an interplay of factors Climate ranging from natural phenomenon to human factors [Zhakata and Makarau 1995] .Major components of the climate system include ,temperature , precipitation,humidity, pressure and others . According to Waugh [2000] climate refers to the longterm atmospheric behaviour while weather refers to the state of the atmosphere at a local level and on a short term scale. This paper will focus on the modification of weather and climate by human beings.Hunnington in Zhakata and Makarau [1995] asserts that the driving force for the climatic system is the net absorption of solar radiation by the earth, atmosphere and oceans. He further argues that any form of interference with the above system, whether intentionally or unintentionally will lead to weather and climate modification and the modification can either be positive or negative.

According to Tyson [1987] human activities have a significant effect on climate.Bearing this assertion in mind it will be noted that human beings will intentionally modify weather and climate for their benefit,usually in industry and agriculture. Mkandla [1996] argues that because of unreliable rainfall in most parts of Zimbabwe,the department of meteorological services carry out cloud seeding to enhance the chances to precipitation .This leads to climate change since precipitation is artificially induced,thus diverting fromthe idealized precipitation process.Mabuya and Gariwe [2011] observe that human beings are the principal culprits in the weather and climate modification. In Zimbabwe and other countries wherethere is winter cropping, crops need to be protected against frost. Commercial farmers in Zimbabwe, especially in wheat production use large electric heaters which are placed at the edges of the fields and then large fans are used to blow hot air into the field



References: Mabuya,N.A. and Garawe, S.M. (2011) Dynamics of ' 'A ' ' level Geography; College Press; Harare Mkandla, V Money, D.(2000) Weather and Climate; Nelson thorns;Cheltenhaw Sharpley, S.(1960) Climate Change: Evidence, Causes and Effects.Harvard University Press; Cambridge. Tyson, P.D.(1987) Climate change and Variability in Southern Africa;Oxford Press; Cape Town Watson, R Waugh, D.(2000) Geography An Integrated Approach; Thomas Nelson and Sons Zhakata, C

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Weather – characteristics of the atmosphere; Hadley cell; Coriolis effect; cyclones (hurricanes) and anticyclones; Climate change and greenhouse gases……

    • 743 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    In recent years, climate change has become a catastrophic issue that globally depletes resources at an unsustainable rate for survival. Rising temperatures associated with climate change are due to the greenhouse effect, in which humans play a huge role. The greenhouse effect is the trapping and buildup of heat in the Earth’s atmosphere due to carbon based human activities, such as transportation, electricity, and consumer habits(EPA, 2013). Global climate change includes substantial change to local and global temperatures, wind patterns, rainfall patterns, which last over extended periods of time (EPA, 2013). Current, unsustainable rates of human population growth contribute to the extra greenhouse gasses are added into the atmosphere.…

    • 2588 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The Earth’s climate has changed over the last century. Increases in average temperatures have been seen around the globe and there is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming observed of the last 50 years is due to human activities.…

    • 2940 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Global climate change has been a subject of much discussion for some time now. The earth has naturally gone through heating and cooling phases in its lifetime. Most scientists agree that these changes aren’t solely the product of humans, but that the time required for natural climate change has been decreased due to humans. This has led to new problems for the earth and all of its inhabitants. According to research the earth is warming at an average of 1.2-1.4° F every 100 years (epa.gov).…

    • 1263 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Climate is a term used to summarise the long term atmospheric elements that cause the short term weather patterns received in a place (“Climate” Britannica 2015). Climate change is the alterations the climate goes through due to a number of factors. These factors can be described as natural or anthropogenic (“Climate Change” Britannica 2015). Natural drivers of climate change are as a result of natural processes such as changes in the solar activity, volcanic activity or the Earth’s orbit. Anthropogenic factors affecting climate change refers to the impact that human activity has on climate change, particularly do to the release of greenhouse gasses and clearing of land leading to less CO2 being absorbed plants such as trees (Ruddiman…

    • 1047 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Climate change is primarily caused by the growing concentration of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere often referred to as greenhouse gases (CO2)’. We think this lovely weather is good, but we know it is not normal to have these warm temperatures at certain times of the year. There are over 100 lies…

    • 373 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Lifsher, M. (2006, Oct 24). Climate shifts on global-warming law; A Senate leader accuses Gov.…

    • 1848 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Climate change, often referred to as global warming, is a rising issue that has been further developed over recent years. To clarify, the term ‘climate change’ refers to any significant change in the measures of climate lasting for an extended period of time. Such changes include but are not limited to major changes in temperature, precipitation, or wind patterns occurring over several decades or longer. Therefore, the specific term ‘global warming’ is only one aspect of climate change and used when referring to recent and ongoing rise in global average temperature near Earth's surface. This steady rise in temperature is causing significant changes in weather and climate which is alarming because even small changes can create problems in our delicately balanced environment which will lead to challenges in our society. As a human race, we depend on the environment for fresh food, fresh water, and fresh air, so when there are complications with the balance of the environment, there are potential complications to our survival.…

    • 1932 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The impacts of global warming vary depending upon perspective and in this paper I will discuss the debate of whether global warming is caused by human activity and carelessness or whether it is just a normal part of the Earth’s natural cyclical processes.…

    • 1926 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Global warming’s a severe concern that is plaguing our environments and communities. Global warming occurred when the rise in the average temperature of both the Earths atmosphere along with the oceans. Since early 20th century the Earth’s temperature has continued to raise giving merit to the beliefs that global warming warrens concern. Jiansong (2011) believed tropical storms became worse over the years and global warming has become such an issue become such an issue it needs to be combated. Miller (2012) preformed experiments to measure the change in the earth’s tempters over the years. Venkataramanan (2011) believed that global warming led to an increase of disasters like hurricanes, droughts and floods; Sherman (2010) believes global warming was a severe problem. Sherman (2010) people must first look at the global temperature change, secondly people must observe the climatic changes, and lastly people need to forecast the weather trends to get a better understanding of what global warming really is and how we can improve our surroundings. Jiansong (2011), Miller (2012), Venkataramanan (2011), and Sherman (2010) discussed the global temperature changes.…

    • 1035 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The book addresses the issue of global warming, and illustrates how perspectives about the environment have changed throughout time. In the past, natural resources were regarded as materials to be exploited by humans for development. However, nowadays people realize that the supply of natural resources is limited and their reckless use jeopardizes the planet. As a result of this newfound understanding, people can now actively prevent the upcoming environmental crisis, which is essential for the survival of the Earth and humankind. The Weather Makers emphasizes how new ideas are the key to overcoming…

    • 1001 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    2. Concept: Key factors that influence an area’s climate are incoming solar energy, the earth’s rotation, global patterns of air and water movement, gases in the atmosphere, and the earth’s surface features. It is important to understand the difference between weather and climate. Weather is a set of physical conditions of the lower atmosphere, including temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind speed, cloud cover, and other factors, in a given area over a period of hours or days. Weather differs from climate, which is the general pattern of atmospheric conditions in a given area over periods ranging from at least three decades to thousands of years. In other words, climate is the sum of weather conditions in a given area, averaged…

    • 4810 Words
    • 20 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    climate change

    • 1718 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The earth's climate is dynamic and always changing through a natural cycle. What the world is more worried about is that the changes that are occurring today have been speeded up because of man's activities. These changes are being studied by scientists all over the world who are finding evidence from tree rings, pollen samples, ice cores, and sea sediments. The causes of climate change can be divided into two categories - those that are due to natural causes and those that are created by man.…

    • 1718 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    The issue of climate change is omnipresent in our daily lives. Many have different opinions about this matter. Some think that there is nothing to worry about and no drastic change is necessary and others think that people should take action as soon as possible in order to prevent disasters in the near future. This paper will compare the different perspectives on the causes of climate change along with how necessary it is for us to make drastic changes in our lives. However, I will argue that the cause of climate change is anthropogenic and changes must be made in order to avoid chaos in the future. The proactive point of view and the sceptic point of view…

    • 1327 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Tignor, H. L. Miller Jr., and Z. Chen, Eds., 2007: Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Cambridge University Press, 996 pp.…

    • 372 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays