The influence of sunspot activity on the condition of the solar-terrestrial environment during cycle 21 was examined using the data of sunspots and the modulation of the galactic cosmic-ray intensity. The 'hot spots' discussed by Ichimoto et al. (1985) and Bai (1987a, 1988) were also found by analyzing the longitudinal distribution of sunspot groups. A detailed comparison between the time change of the sunspot activity in hot spots and that of the galactic cosmic rays observed by the neutron monitor reveals that several transient diminutions of the GCR intensity (with much longer duration than a Forbush decrease) occur at nearly the same time as the sporadic enhancement of sunspot area in the hot spots.