Final answer:
The Earth and its environment are affected by natural processes such as weather events and human-induced processes including deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. These processes lead to short-term and long-term effects on climate and ecosystems, demanding a shift towards environmental sustainability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Processes of change affecting Earth involve both natural and human-induced effects on global climate change and ecosystems. Natural processes include phenomena like hurricanes and volcanic eruptions, while human-induced processes entail activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and the release of greenhouse gases.
Short-term effects on climate and ecosystems might include altered weather patterns and impacted wildlife habitats. In the long-term, changes could lead to retreating glaciers, earlier ice melt in lakes, and even the disappearing of icy peaks such as those on Mount Kilimanjaro. Moreover, changes in Earth's albedo, due to human alterations of land cover, directly affect regional climates and globally averaged temperatures.
The increasing complexity and scale of these changes demand a collective effort towards environmental sustainability. They will impact virtually every aspect of life, from world hunger to economic systems and social values, emphasizing the need for a thorough understanding of Earth's environmental systems to mitigate and adapt to these changes.