Global warming has brought about significant climate change to the environment, with many people witnessing either warmer or colder winters because of it. The concept of global warming generating colder winters seems to run counterintuitively, yet it is a phenomenon that is widely recognized and accepted by most areas of the scientific community. The reality is that the higher temperatures caused by global warming often result in colder winters.
At its root, this phenomenon occurs due to the additional water vapor that global warming brings to the atmosphere. More water vapor leads to a warmer atmosphere, and when temperatures drop in winter, the water vapor can make it cold enough for snow, ice and cold air. It is thought that the additional water vapor often leads to cloud cover, which serves to retain thermal energy, making the air temperature colder than it would be if it were a clear sky. This theory as to why global warming leads to colder winters is discussed in a research paper published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
Up to now, winter has been getting colder in many Northern regions because of climate change, and the trend will continue. For example, the northernmost city in the world, Yakutsk, which has already seen an average warming of around 2-3C, has been witnessing much colder winters than it did a few decades ago. Similarly, Alaska has seen a 4C average increase in temperatures due to global warming, but temperatures are dropping and will continue to do so. Similarly, cold winters are being predicted in parts of Europe due to climate change due to the extra water vapor in the atmosphere, trapping cold air and driving temperatures in a downward curve.
Aside from winter, global warming is also leading to longer and drier summers, leaving certain areas prone to drought and famine. The erratic weather and temperatures are causing havoc to the food production industry, with bees, which are essential to pollination, also suffering due to temperature fluctuations. Consequently, it is important that governments and other organizations work together to bring about a realistic plan of action to reduce global warming.
The direct impact that climate change has on the planet is evident, whilst its indirect consequences, such as colder winters and longer, drier summers, are being experienced. It is therefore important that a viable and effective plan of action is implemented in order to significantly reduce global warming and its side-effects.
