QSN 1

Introduction: The global urban population is increasing rapidly, and it is expected that by 2050,
about 68% of the world's population will be living in urban areas. As a result of this rapid
urbanization, the natural balance of the atmosphere has been significantly altered, leading to a
change in climatic conditions. One of the most significant effects of human activity on the urban
climate is on humidity. This essay will explore in detail the ways in which human activity affects
humidity levels in urban areas, using relevant examples.

Body:

The increase in impervious surfaces is one of the most apparent ways in which human activity
affects humidity levels in urban areas. Impervious surfaces such as buildings, roads, and
pavements, cover a large area of the land surface in urban areas. These surfaces absorb heat
and reflect sunlight, leading to an increase in temperature, which, in turn, increases humidity
levels. The urban heat island effect occurs when impervious surfaces absorb and release heat
more quickly than natural surfaces, such as forests and fields. This leads to an increase in the
temperature of urban areas, which in turn, increases humidity levels. For instance, a study by
Zhang et al. (2017) found that cities with a higher percentage of impervious surfaces had higher
humidity levels due to the urban heat island effect.

Another way human activities affect humidity levels is through the alteration of the natural
hydrological cycle. Urbanization has led to the construction of stormwater management
systems such as sewers, which collect and transport water away from the urban area. As a
result, the natural infiltration and evaporation of water into the atmosphere are reduced,
leading to lower humidity levels. The removal of natural vegetation also reduces the amount of
water that is released into the atmosphere through evapotranspiration, leading to lower
humidity levels. For instance, a study by Buytaert et al. (2014) found that urbanization in Quito,
Ecuador, led to a reduction in the natural hydrological cycle, resulting in lower humidity levels.

Moreover, human activities such as deforestation and land-use change affect humidity levels in
urban areas. Deforestation, which involves the removal of trees, affects humidity levels by
reducing the amount of water that is released into the atmosphere through evapotranspiration.
This, in turn, reduces the amount of moisture in the atmosphere, leading to lower humidity
levels. For example, a study by Yang et al. (2015) found that deforestation in Beijing, China, led
to a decrease in humidity levels due to the reduction in evapotranspiration.

Another way human activity affects humidity levels in urban areas is through the emission of
greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. These gases trap heat in the
atmosphere, leading to an increase in temperature, which, in turn, increases humidity levels.
For example, a study by Kim et al. (2019) found that the increase in carbon dioxide emissions in
Seoul, South Korea, led to an increase in humidity levels due to the urban heat island effect.

In addition to these factors, human activities such as agriculture, industry, and transportation
also contribute to the increase in humidity levels in urban areas. Irrigation, for example,
increases humidity levels by adding moisture to the atmosphere. Industrial processes that
involve the use of water, such as cooling systems, also contribute to the increase in humidity
levels. Transportation systems such as cars and buses emit pollutants that affect humidity levels
by altering the natural chemistry of the atmosphere.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, human activity has a significant impact on humidity levels in urban areas. The
increase in impervious surfaces, alteration of the natural hydrological cycle, deforestation, and
emission of greenhouse gases all affect humidity levels in urban areas. The consequences of
these changes in humidity levels can be seen in the health and wellbeing of urban

Introduction Wind belts refer to the prevailing winds in different latitudes, caused by the
differences in atmospheric pressure created by the Earth's rotation and the uneven heating of
the planet's surface. The movement of these winds plays a crucial role in the atmospheric
transfer of energy, affecting various aspects of weather and climate. This essay will discuss the
view that wind belts are the most important influence on the atmospheric transfer of energy,
with the aid of examples.
Effect on temperature distribution The movement of wind belts plays a significant role in the
distribution of temperature across the globe. The equatorial region receives more solar
radiation than other regions, leading to a higher temperature. As a result, warm air rises at the
equator and moves towards the poles, where it cools and descends. This circulation of air,
known as the Hadley cell, is responsible for the high temperature and rainfall in the tropical
rainforests and the dry, arid conditions in the subtropics. For example, the Sahara desert in
North Africa and the Kalahari desert in Southern Africa are located in the subtropics, where the
descending air of the Hadley cell creates dry and arid conditions.

Effect on ocean currents Wind belts also influence the movement of ocean currents, which
have a significant impact on the transfer of energy between the atmosphere and the ocean. The
trade winds, which blow from east to west in the tropics, drive the surface water towards the
west, causing upwelling of cold water from the ocean depths on the eastern side of the ocean
basins. This upwelling brings nutrients to the surface, supporting the growth of phytoplankton,
which forms the base of the ocean food chain. The movement of the ocean currents also plays
a role in the regulation of the global climate, as they transport heat from the equatorial region
towards the poles. For example, the Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current that flows from the
Gulf of Mexico towards Europe, is responsible for the milder climate in Western Europe
compared to other regions at similar latitudes.

Effect on weather patterns Wind belts also affect the formation of weather patterns,
particularly in mid-latitudes. The westerlies, which blow from west to east in the mid-latitudes,
are responsible for the movement of weather systems across the globe. These winds are
created by the circulation of air between the polar and subtropical regions, known as the Ferrel
cell. The convergence of warm and cold air masses in the mid-latitudes can lead to the
formation of cyclones and anticyclones, which are responsible for a range of weather events,
including storms, heavy rainfall, and droughts. For example, the UK experiences a maritime
climate due to the prevailing westerly winds, which bring moist air from the Atlantic Ocean,
leading to mild and wet conditions throughout the year.
Effect on precipitation patterns Wind belts also play a critical role in determining the
distribution of precipitation patterns across the globe. The global atmospheric circulation,
created by the movement of wind belts, is responsible for the movement of water vapor in the
atmosphere. Moist air rises in the tropics and moves towards the poles, where it cools and
releases precipitation. As a result, regions located in the path of prevailing winds receive higher
levels of precipitation than other areas. For example, the monsoon winds that blow over South
Asia bring heavy rainfall during the summer months, while the west coast of South America
experiences arid conditions due to the influence of the Humboldt Current and the descending
air of the subtropical high-pressure belt.

Effect on vegetation patterns Wind belts also influence vegetation patterns across the globe.
The distribution of vegetation is determined by factors such as temperature, precipitation, and
soil type, which are all influenced by the movement of wind belts. The tropical rainforests are
located in the equatorial region, where the warm and moist conditions created by the Hadley
cell support the growth of dense vegetation. The grasslands and savannas, on the other hand,
are found in the subtropics, where the descending air of the Hadley cell creates drier
conditions. For example, the African savannas are located in the region where the tropical and
subtropical air masses converge, creating a transitional zone between the rainforests and the
deserts.

Effect on human activities Wind belts also have a significant impact on human activities,
particularly in the areas of agriculture and transportation. The distribution of precipitation and
vegetation patterns, influenced by the movement of wind belts, affects the suitability of land
for agriculture. Areas with high levels of precipitation and fertile soil are suitable for crop
cultivation, while arid regions are not. The movement of wind also affects transportation
patterns, as prevailing winds can either aid or hinder the movement of ships and airplanes. For
example, the trade winds, which blow from east to west in the tropics, aided the movement of
sailing ships during the Age of Exploration, while the westerlies, which blow from west to east
in the mid-latitudes, are used by airplanes to reduce travel time and fuel consumption.
Conclusion In conclusion, wind belts are the most important influence on the atmospheric
transfer of energy, affecting various aspects of weather and climate, as well as vegetation
patterns, human activities, and more. Their movement determines the distribution of
temperature, precipitation, and vegetation patterns across the globe, influencing the
occurrence of extreme weather events, ocean currents, and the suitability of land for
agriculture. Therefore, understanding the role of wind belts is crucial for predicting and
adapting to the impacts of climate change on different regions of the world.