In Peru and other poor countries alike, climate change not only affects the ecosystems, but also impacts soial life, a meteorologist told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The natural effect could be felt in slow but sustained reduction of tropical glaciers, reduction of rains, rise of the sea level, increase of sea surface's temperature, and effects on agricultural production, according to Grinia Avalos with Peru's Meteorology and Hydrology National Service (Senamhi).

Moreover, in poor countries like Peru, the level of development goes down because the exacerbated climate variations reduce agricultural production and food security, and cause environmental and sanitary problems, Avalos said.

During the current winter season in Peru, the weather behavior has been irregular with cold waves hitting the country.

In the capital of Lima, the average daily temperatures in winter range from 12 degrees Celsius to 19 degrees. But this year temperatures have dipped to lower than eight degrees.

In the mountainous High Andean Lands, there were even minus 20 degrees, while in the tropical Amazon region, temperatures fell to 16 degrees, where the minimum is of 22 degrees on average.

"The changes in the temperature, biological and meteorological cycles will alter and threaten the biodiversity on the Earth," she said.

Avalos said that the most permanent characteristic of the weather is its variability. "The climate has fluctuations in a relatively short time, which could be monthly, seasonal or yearly."

However, Avalos said "there are different meteorological fluctuations or changes, regarding its intensity and frequency."

The causes "could be the variation of the atmospheric patterns, attributable to the global warming," she said.

Scientists foresee a gradual warming of the planet, based on the rise of the temperatures, the greenhouse effect caused by the increase of the carbon dioxide and the reduction of the ozone layers, which could lead the Earth to an atmospheric situation similar to that of the Venus.

Other researchers focus their study on the changes of submarine flows, the reduction of the maculas and the increase of torrential rains in the northern hemisphere.

Avalos said that the measures to counter the climate change are based on two aspects, alleviating its effects and adapting to the phenomenon.

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