WEATHER AND CLIMATE

1.      Let’s talk about weather and climate. What’s happening to the climate nowadays?

Weather is very important for people, because it influences their health and well-being, the way of life and food supplies that they have. When the weather is cold and rainy, people might feel upset or even depressed. And vice versa, when it is sunny and people can eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, they are happy and cheerful. Changes in climate can affect people in a good or a bad way. This is why many scientists worry/are alarmed that average temperature in the world is rising.

This process is called global warming. But it doesn’t only mean warmer climate. Together with global warming come floods, landslides, hurricanes, droughts and heat waves. Ice caps in the Arctic and the Antarctic are melting, flooding coastal areas. Plants and animals do not have periods of rest in winter or are not protected by snow when it is -20⁰.

Global warming is caused by pollution. It is closely connected to the greenhouse effect and deforestation. Let me describe what the greenhouse effect is. The sun warms our planet. Some of the heat from the sun goes back to space. But because of air pollution carbon dioxide and other harmful gases work like a glass in a greenhouse and don’t allow the heat to leave our planet. As a result the climate becomes warmer. But some scientists believe that climate change is caused by natural processes on our planet and we don’t have to worry about it.

Global warming can be very dangerous. Scientists predict that by 2050 some species of animals will have died out, coastal areas such as New York will have been covered with water and millions of environmental refugees will have appeared. To stop it each of us should use cars less often, not burn grass and participate in campaigns for more filters in factories. Factories should use more filters and large industrial countries must take some action to reduce the level of pollution.

2.      How can you describe the climate of Belarus?

They say that our climate is continental, which means that we have warm or hot summers and cold snowy winters with lots of snow. The autumns and springs are usually rainy. But nowadays winters have become milder. It is not unusual to have no snow and see green grass all the year round. People are very excited if they have white holidays. Summers can be very hot and dry and almost unbearable. There are also a lot of gloomy rainy days in each season. People say that this is happening because of global warming. I hope next year weather will be back to normal, because I have always loved to have four seasons with some wonderful things to do: playing snowballs in winter, taking pictures of amazing leaves in autumn, sunbathing in summer and going for a walk in spring!

3.      Do you have a favourite season?

Different people like different seasons. Some people enjoy summer, because it is hot and they can relax on the beach. Others love spring, because it is the time when nature awakens. Some people are fond of winter, because they can go skiing or enjoy a sunny day with blue sky and sparking white snow. Some more people prefer autumn, because it is the time of harvest and golden leaves.

My favourite season is spring. Everything is full of life: trees and flowers blossom, the first green grass takes the place of ugly dirty snow, the air is fresh and we can wear nice clothes. You can go to the park and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of nature. School is over in May and you have new hopes and expectations. In spring people can go in for sports: play tennis and football, go jogging or simply walk in a green forest.

I like spring, because in winter it is freezing cold; in summer it is too hot and you can get sunburnt and in autumn it seems like everything is dying.

All in all, I consider spring to be the best season, because nature and life are full of promise. It is the season, when I feel inspired, want to start anew and succeed in everything I do.

4.      Do you agree with the saying “There is no bad weather, there are bad clothes”?

I do not agree with this proverb, because I am not a big fan of rainy weather. My clothes and shoes are wet, it is difficult to get from one place to another and you feel tired and sleepy. Some people might even feel depressed if they don’t get enough sunshine. It is a scientific fact that people need sun to get vitamin D, which is important for our wellbeing. That’s why I think this saying is not true.

5.      What questions would you ask a meteorologist?