However, growing climate change impacts, such as drought and more frequent and intense fires, could lessen that ability.

The situation was exacerbated by deforestation, which lessened the ability of the soil to hold water.

A series of strokes over the next 10 years lessened her abilities until she could no longer speak or drive.

All these factors increased the possibility of food shortages and lessened the ability of government or smallholders to cope with them.

In the case above the photoreceptors for red light in the retina are fatigued, lessening their ability to send the information to the brain.