Climate is an important factor that influences the success of what we do. We can’t live without it, but things might change if the climate changes. How does climate change then? Climate changes in a variety of ways. However, there are 7 factors that influence climate.
We are all aware of the fact that the climate is changing, but many of us don’t know how to effectively communicate that to others. In this post, we will go over a few key points that will help you understand the factors that are influencing climate change and how we can be sure that our actions will have an impact on the future of our planet.
What Factors Affect Climate?
Human activity contributes to climate change by increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. A large part of this is due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil.
#1. Temperature
The climate of the earth is determined by a variety of factors. One of these factors is the temperature. The average temperature that we experience on Earth is 15 degrees Celsius, or 59 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature is a measure of how hot or cold an object is. It affects climate because it makes the surface of the Earth warmer or colder. The surface of the Earth can absorb heat from the Sun and so, when it becomes hotter, it will cause global warming. However, if there is ice on top of the ground then this means that it’s colder and so there will be less heat being absorbed by the ground which protects us from climate change.
What does this mean for the climate? Well, as you might expect, when it’s hotter outside, it will be hotter inside your home. So your air conditioner will have to work harder to keep things cool enough for you and your family.
When we’re talking about climate, the temperature can have an enormous impact on many things including:
- Precipitation (temperature helps make storms)
- Runoff and soil moisture
- Urban heat island (high temperatures can cause cities to be hotter)
- Net radiation balance
#2. Humidity
Humidity has an effect on climate. High humidity in the air, especially when it is combined with stagnant atmospheric layers, can reduce both the amount of ground-level solar radiation and the amount of that radiation that escapes directly to space.
This leads to greater absorption of sunlight’s heat by the atmosphere and by the earth’s surface, resulting in more warming.
The higher the humidity, the more moisture that’s in the air and this can affect how much energy it takes to heat up an object or room because moist air holds more heat than dry air.
#3. Precipitation
Precipitation is a measure that takes into account the amount of water that falls from the sky. The term precipitation can refer to rain, snow, hail, or other forms of liquid and solid precipitation.
It affects climate by bringing in more water to the Earth’s surface which cools it down. It also helps regulate the cycle of water through evaporation and condensation which ultimately impacts other things such as plant life. It can also create natural disasters such as flooding and landslides.
#4. Winds & Ocean Currents
Winds are an important part of our planet’s climate. For example, they help to transport heat around the globe and give major storms their intensity.
Winds are one of the least understood parts of the climate system. Gaining a better understanding of these changes is critical to monitoring and forecasting change in regional climates.
Winds and ocean currents are the most important factors in determining the climate of a region. Winds and ocean currents affect temperature, humidity, wind speed, precipitation and air pressure. As they move over land or water they pick up heat energy from the sun’s rays or warmth from the earth’s surface. This causes them to rise and cool which in turn creates rain or snow.
#5. Solar radiation
Solar radiation is an important factor in climate change due to the heating effects of the sun. Solar radiation is the heat that comes from the sun and heats up our planet. It can cause a positive feedback loop where more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere creates a warmer environment, which causes more solar radiation to be absorbed, resulting in even higher levels of atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
The greenhouse effect is caused by infrared radiation from the heat that passes through Earth’s atmosphere and then bounces off Earth’s surface back into space. This trapped infrared energy warms Earth’s surface.
#6. Topography
Topography refers to the condition of a place with respect to the earth’s surface. It can be described as different types of relief, such as hills, mountains, valleys etc. The term topography also is used in meteorology and oceanography to describe the layout of land or the seafloor.
In Atmospheric Science, topography affects climate because it influences wind flow and moisture. For example, mountain ranges cause air to rise because they create a wall of higher terrain. Air rises because there is less pressure pushing down on it at higher altitudes. This causes it to cool and condense water vapour into rain or snow which then falls as precipitation on the other side of the mountain range at lower altitudes.
Read More: How Does Topography Affect Climate?
#7. Latitude & Elevation
Latitude is the angle between the equator and the north pole. Latitude influences the amount of sunlight that hits the earth. This affects the amount of energy that is absorbed by the earth’s surface and the amount of heat that is released. Latitude is also the main factor that determines the temperature of the earth’s surface.
Elevation (or altitude) is the vertical distance between the surface of the Earth and the centre of the Earth. It is measured in metres above the mean sea level (MSL). The atmosphere contains a wide variety of gases, but the most important are greenhouse gases, including water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane.
Conclusion:
In this blog post, you learned about 7 factors that influence climate. These factors are important to understand for understanding our environment and the impact we have on the climate. Climate change is one of our most important environmental concerns. For that reason, we wanted to share with you our 7 factors that influence climate. These are things that are a natural part of our lives that can have a big impact on our climate.
FAQ: Factors That Influence Climate
What are natural and human factors that influence climate?
There are a number of natural and human factors that affect climate. The Earth’s tilt and orbit around the sun, the Earth’s rotation, ocean currents, and volcanic eruptions are all natural factors that influence climate. Human factors include things like deforestation, agriculture, urbanization and emissions from cars and factories. All of these factors work together to create the Earth’s climate.
What problems are caused by climate change?
There are many problems that are caused by climate change. For example, the increased intensity of storms and floods can damage infrastructure and homes. The increased heat can also make it harder for people to work outdoors, and can cause health problems. Additionally, the melting of glaciers and ice sheets can cause sea levels to rise, which can flooding coastal areas.