Before we begin to grasp what climate change could mean, we must understand what causes climate in the first place. We cannot hope to change how people behave, unless we understand Earth’s systems, and can explain in words they understand.
What Causes Earth’s Different Climate Types?
Climate describes the weather in a particular place on earth. We measure this in terms of average conditions over thirty years to establish a trend. There are five main climate types, namely tropical, dry, temperate, continental and polar. In practice, these blend together on the boundaries although map makers draw straight lines.
The tropical and dry regions are the hottest since they are closest to the equator. That’s because the Sun is most directly overhead. The polar regions are the coldest because the rays are least direct. The temperate and continental regions of Earth complete the progression from hot to cold. Hence the Sun is what causes climate in the first instance. However there are other factors.
Earth’s Tilt, Orbit and Rotation Also Affect Climate
Earth’s tilt on an imaginary axis causes the seasons as it orbits around the sun. Climate historians believe this caused the Ice Ages, but there is little we can do about that. Much the same applies to Earth’s rotation that causes the days and nights.
These factors come together to explain why Siberia is cooler than Egypt, but there is one more factor to come. They may influence the amount of solar heat striking the atmosphere, however the discriminator is where the sun is relative to where we are. This atmosphere acts as a filter regulating how much heat we experience in that place. But industrial and urban pollution are changing how this filter works.
This shift is what causes climate change in the first instance. However, Earthlings cause it in the final analysis because our consumer decisions drive pollution. Therefore ultimately this means you and me.
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Preview Image: Graduations of Climate
