[Intro]
(Humid human humid)
Humid human humid
(Humid human humid)
Humid human humid
[Verse 1]
O.K.
I give
Take it away
Can’t live
This way
[Chorus]
Humans, here’s the scoop
Humidity feedback loop
In time the crime
Of wealth and health
[Bridge]
(Humid human humid)
Humid human humid
(Humid human humid)
Humid human humid
[Instrumental, Guitar Solo, Drum Fills]
[Verse 2]
O.K.
I give
The price we pay
We can’t live
This way
As of today
[Chorus]
Humans, here’s the scoop
Humidity feedback loop
In time the crime
Of wealth and health
[Bridge]
(Humid human humid)
Humid human humid
(Humid human humid)
Humid human humid
[Instrumental, Saxophone Solo, Bass]
[Outro[
Did you ever think you’d see the day
When you would say,
“Thank God a violent storm is on the way
So, the humidity won’t stay.”
A SCIENCE NOTE
Humans have created a humidity feedback loop primarily through activities that contribute to climate change and urbanization. This feedback loop can intensify heat and humidity, leading to further environmental and health impacts. Here are some key ways in which humans have contributed to this loop:
1. Increased Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, release significant amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) into the atmosphere. These GHGs trap heat, leading to global warming. Warmer temperatures increase the evaporation rates from oceans, lakes, and soil, adding more water vapor to the atmosphere. Water vapor itself is a potent greenhouse gas, which then contributes to further warming, creating a feedback loop .
2. Urban Heat Islands (UHIs)
Urbanization leads to the development of cities with concrete, asphalt, and buildings that absorb and retain heat. This phenomenon, known as the Urban Heat Island effect, results in higher temperatures in urban areas compared to their rural surroundings. The increased heat causes more evaporation from surfaces, contributing to higher humidity levels in urban areas. Higher humidity can make heat waves more severe and prolonged, exacerbating the UHI effect .
3. Deforestation and Land Use Changes
Deforestation and changes in land use reduce the number of trees and vegetation that naturally help regulate the climate. Trees absorb CO2 and release water vapor through a process called transpiration. When forests are cleared, this regulatory mechanism is disrupted, leading to higher temperatures and altered precipitation patterns. This can increase local humidity levels and contribute to a feedback loop where higher temperatures lead to more evaporation and humidity, which in turn can lead to more intense weather patterns .
4. Agricultural Practices
Certain agricultural practices, such as extensive irrigation, can also contribute to increased humidity. Irrigation adds large amounts of water to the atmosphere through evaporation, which can increase local and regional humidity levels. Higher humidity can then influence local climate conditions, potentially leading to more frequent and intense weather events .
Implications of the Humidity Feedback Loop
- Heat Stress: Higher humidity levels combined with high temperatures can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, as the human body struggles to cool itself through sweating.
- Intensified Weather Events: Increased humidity can lead to more intense storms and precipitation events, as more water vapor is available to fuel these weather systems.
- Ecosystem Impacts: Changes in humidity and temperature can affect local ecosystems, influencing plant growth, water availability, and biodiversity.
Conclusion
Human activities have created a humidity feedback loop through increased greenhouse gas emissions, urbanization, deforestation, and certain agricultural practices. This loop not only exacerbates global warming but also contributes to the intensification of extreme weather events and has significant implications for human health and ecosystems.
Sources:
- : Climate Change and Water Vapor
- : Urban Heat Islands
- : Impact of Urban Heat Islands
- : Deforestation and Climate Change
- : Agricultural Irrigation and Humidity