Why Does Climate Change? Investigate the Causes with Erica and Sven

Why Does Climate Change? Investigate the Causes with Erica and Sven — page 5
1 2 1 TROPICAL THE WORLD’S MOODS If the Earth was dry and there was no atmosphere there would be no life On the side facing the sun it would be hot and in the shadow it would be cold Places with mild temperatures would not exist But the Earth has air and flowing water Thank goodness Different climate zones are the basis for life At the poles the sun’s rays always hit the Earth at a sharp angle so there is less radiation ZONE SUBTROPICS TEMPERATE 3 SURPRISINGLY MILD Around the warm ocean currents COLD WINTERS Different climates and vegetation dot the continents depending depending to how much sunlight they receive and how heat and humidity circulate We bask in the Sun’s rays at just the right distance which gives us exactly the right amount of water in liquid form Water is necessary for life but snow ice and steam also play a role in climate patterns At the Equator direct sunlight creates a lot of heat throughout the year You can’t pile water The water that flows in the sea has to be replaced by water from somewhere else Sea currents even out temperature differences around the globe 2 3 The sun warms the surface of the sea in the tropics Warm water currents flow toward the colder regions The water releases its heat into the surrounding colder air 6 the climate is warm and wet The power of hurricanes comes from sea water heated by the sun CYCLONES HOT AND HUMID Mountains affect wind cloud formation and rainfall