... we had changed seasons?

Climate change is one of the most discussed current topics in the departments of media, politics, environmental protection and our everyday life.  One of its known consequences is a recognizable change in temperatures, weather and all related phenomena.  Certainly, a large development of the climate change would also influence our seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter.
But what would be the possible effects?

For the beginning, it is important to mention that there will always be four seasons which are caused by the gradient of the Earth’s axis. Therefore, we will always have varying amounts of sunlight at different times of the year.

Nevertheless, we would have lots of problems. In case the climate plays up more and more, the usual winter and spring seasons will start earlier than we are actually used to it. This leads to a confusion of migratory birds: They would be forced to leave our countries earlier for flying to the South which is not 100% matching with their inner clock.

Moreover, some animals have difficulties in spring to feed their young animals. Some caterpillars, which are an important food source, are hatching at a certain time in March and April. With a shifted beginning of spring, winter sleepers wake up earlier than usually and need food – as well as the birds which are coming back faster from warmer areas. These living things have real problems to find a replacement for the still unhatched caterpillars. In the worst case, some species may even die out because of a lack of aliment.

Furthermore, autumn will probably start later – that means the beautiful color changes of trees that we all love so much when going for a refreshing walk in the forest, would be missed in September. We can firstly expect them when October is starting.

But there are also some serious disadvantages of not having our usual seasons that make us worry even more. When you are already exhausted by sitting in your garden while there are 32˚C outside at hot summer days, the next point will probably disquiet you. Scientists guess that in 2060 it will not be very unlikely to have 50˚C in countries with a moderate climate during August, as e.g. in France, Germany and Poland. Imagine that – it must be horrible to spend your holidays in this incredible heat!

And also for all ice-skating fans it will not be easy to follow their favorite hobby: lakes and rivers will likely freeze later and melt earlier in winter. That means you have to sidestep to artificial ice-rings.

To put all these alarming facts in a nutshell: We all should try to avoid these effects of climate change through doing our best to stop it! It is essential to appreciate our earth, nature and environment and to think of the future. Therefore, we all have to make some cutbacks; we must renounce a little bit of our luxury and start to pay attention to our carbon dioxide consumption, recycling behavior and electricity wastefulness. Let’s all work together for an environmental awareness against the climate change that we human beings caused and for the natural seasonal cycle – one of our livelihoods.