Final answer:
The shrinking of the Aral Sea has led to a drier climate with greater temperature extremes in the region. It has caused the disappearance of wetlands and ecosystems, devastating the fishing industry and leading to a decline in the local economy. The loss of water has also resulted in increased salinity and negative health effects in nearby populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The shrinking of the Aral Sea has had a significant impact on the region's climate. The absence of moisture and the moderating influence of the lake has caused the climate to become drier and experience greater temperature extremes. The loss of water from evaporation for precipitation has also led to a gradual change in the climate, making summers warmer and winters colder.
Additionally, the shrinking of the Aral Sea has resulted in the disappearance of wetlands and associated ecosystems, contributing to the decline of habitats and the local economy. The fishing industry, which employed thousands of people, has been devastated, and the remaining western part of the sea has become more saline, leading to a decline in the fish population. The destruction of the Aral Sea is considered one of the planet's biggest environmental disasters caused by human activities.
The shrinking of other large lakes, such as Lake Chad in Africa, the Dead Sea in the Middle East, and Lake Manchar in Pakistan, also exemplify the negative impacts of unsustainable diversions of river water.