Final answer:
Climate has a significant impact on population distribution, with harsh climates leading to less habitation, and type C climates attracting larger populations. Global climate change poses challenges like increased climate refugees and altered ecosystems. Human activity can exacerbate these effects by creating barriers to species migration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, climate does affect all living things and is a significant reason why some regions are less populated than others. The earth’s climates have historically influenced human settlement patterns. Harsh climates, such as extreme cold or heat, can lead to a scarcity of resources like food and water, forcing small communities to migrate in search of better living conditions. In contrast, regions with temperate climates, ample freshwater, and fertile lands, known as type C climates, attract larger populations due to easier access to essential resources and favorable conditions for agriculture and habitation.
As global temperatures rise, habitats change and can become inhospitable, causing shifts in biodiversity. Landscapes altered by human activity, such as deforestation and urbanization, create barriers to species migration in response to climate change.
With the increase in climate refugees due to conditions such as rising sea levels, stronger storms, and extreme temperatures, the study of climate effects on human habitation is more relevant than ever. Factors such as global warming lead to the migrations of people from less habitable regions to those with more stable climates, influencing population densities around the world.