Climate is understood as a long-term regime of weather conditions or the average state of the atmosphere characteristic of a particular area. Its manifestation consists in a regular change in air temperature, wind strength, precipitation, etc.
History of the term
The word "climate" in Greek means "slope." In scientific circulation, this concept has existed for more than two thousand years. It was first mentioned in the writings of the ancient Greek astronomer Hipparchus. With this word, the scientist sought to show that the inclination of the Earth's surface to the rays of the Sun is a determining factor in the formation of weather conditions in any area from the equator to the poles.
Climate impact
Depending on the weather conditions, there is a state of animate and inanimate nature. Climate affects water bodies and soil, flora and fauna. The living conditions of human society and its economic activity depend on the state of the atmosphere of a particular locality. Take, for example, agriculture. Productivity of crops is directly dependent on air temperature, rainfall and many other weather factors.
The climate of the Earth affects the life of oceans and seas, swamps and lakes. In addition, he is directly involved in the relief formation process. In other words, all processes occurring in the life of the surface of our planet depend on climate. And their intensity, in turn, is determined by the energy of the heavenly body.
The influence of the sun on climate formation
The source of heat that enters our planet is the celestial body. In turn, the types of the Earth’s climate depend on the total solar radiation that falls into this or that locality. The amount of heat entering our planet is decreasing in the direction from the equator to the poles. This is due to a change in the angle of incidence of the rays, in other words, depends on the latitude of the area.
The state in which the atmosphere is located and the climates of the Earth are closely interconnected. In each of the zones, the Sun warms the air in different ways. So, at the equator, the highest average temperature reaches twenty-seven degrees. The coldest place on Earth is the South Pole. Here the average temperature of the coldest month of the year is forty-eight degrees of frost. What can be said about the whole globe? Scientists have estimated that over the course of the year, the average air temperature at the surface of our planet is at around fourteen degrees of heat.
Atmosphere pressure
This phenomenon is one of the main factors shaping the Earth’s climate. So, in the immediate vicinity of the equator, the pressure of the air masses is reduced. This condition, which the atmosphere is experiencing, contributes to the creation of intense upward flows. They form cumulonimbus clouds, from which rainfall occurs. This phenomenon is repeated daily and occurs at a time when the sun is at its zenith.
The fact that the state in which the atmosphere and the Earth's climates are inextricably linked is also indicated by the weather in subtropical latitudes. Here, between 30 and 35 parallel, the air masses have high pressure. In this case, the formation of subtropical anticyclones occurs. Their movement is in the latitudinal direction. The general circulation of the atmosphere of this zone is a whole system of air currents. Thus, trade winds (steady winds) blow from subtropical anticyclones towards the equator. Tropical cyclones and monsoons are also observed here. The first of these two phenomena is characterized by very low pressure, as well as hurricane and gale-force winds. Tropical monsoons dominate the southeastern outskirts of Eurasia, as well as in the associated waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans. In mid-latitudes, the climate of the Earth is influenced by westerly winds.
Types of Air Masses
The climate characteristic of this or that zone in many respects also depends on in what place the formation of atmospheric layers located above it occurred. Thus, air masses can be formed either at a certain latitude, or above the surface of the oceans or continents. That is why atmospheric layers are classified.
Air masses can be of the following types:
- Antarctic (arctic);
- polar (temperate latitudes);
- tropical;
- equatorial.
Moreover, all these types of air masses can be both marine and continental.
Climate and landscape
The weather conditions in a particular region are significantly affected by the topography of the territory. Large forms located on the surface of the Earth are a kind of mechanical obstacle. It protects the territory from the winds, as well as from other air masses. These mechanical obstacles that affect the Earth’s climate are mountains. Even when air currents pass through them, the majority of the moisture reserves are lost. This greatly changes the nature of the winds. That is why mountains, as a rule, serve as the border beyond which the types of climate of the Earth change.
Special weather conditions are also created inside the stone ranges. In this zone, there is not even one, but many different climates. A vivid example of this is the Caucasus. Here, different climatic conditions are observed in the region of the southern and northern slopes, the Armenian Highlands, the Kuro-Araksin and Rion Lowlands, etc. In addition, no matter what mountain conditions we consider, the climate will have vertical zonality. This is especially pronounced in the soil and vegetation layer, which is represented in a wide range from forests to tundra and further to eternal ice and snow.
Climatic zones
The sun's rays, falling on our planet, unevenly distribute the energy of the heavenly body. And the main reason for this is the spherical shape that the Earth has. In this regard, scientists distinguish five climatic zones or zones. Among them, one is hot, two are moderate, and two are cold.
In addition to the uneven distribution of solar energy, the Earth’s climate is determined mainly by atmospheric circulation. For example, for a zone that adjoins directly to the equator, the dominance of ascending air currents is characteristic. In this regard, there is a climatic zone, the richest in rains. There are areas on our planet where the trade winds exert their influence. They are created by descending air currents. These are zones whose territories are poor in precipitation.
All this suggests that the hot climate zone in each of the earth’s hemispheres can be further divided into two more zones. One of them, rich in rains, is called equatorial. The second, where there is little rainfall, is called tropical.
A similar characteristic of the Earth’s climate exists in the temperate zone. Two belts are also distinguished here. One of them is subtropical, where it is warm, but there is little rainfall. The second belt is moderate. It is characterized by heavy rains and lower air temperature.
The cold zone also differs by heterogeneity. So, studying the climatic conditions of the Arctic, scientists decided on the need to distinguish two zones here. One of them is arctic, and the second is subarctic. The first one is the coldest. The air temperature in the subarctic zone is usually much lower than zero, even in the warmest months of the year. No wonder this territory is considered the kingdom of eternal ice and snow. The subarctic belt is slightly warmer. This is the tundra zone, where in the summer months the air temperature can rise to around 10 degrees.
So, on Earth there are not five, but eleven belts. It:
- 1 equatorial;
- 2 tropical;
- 2 subtropical;
- 2 moderate;
- 2 subarctic;
- 2 arctic.
Clear and defined boundaries between these zones do not exist. This is influenced by the annual movement of our planet, resulting in various seasons. How to study all climates of the Earth as efficiently as possible? The table, which can be compiled for clarity, should include such characteristics of each of the zones as the average annual temperature, amount of precipitation, type of atmospheric circulation and geographical location.
Climatic zones in Russia
The regions of our country occupy vast areas. That is why the climatic zones of Russia are very diverse. A map with their image is quite convincing proof. Here you can see territories with this type of climate, such as:
- arctic;
- subarctic;
- moderate;
- subtropical.
Are there other climatic zones of Russia? The map shows that there are no equatorial and tropical zones in our country.
Climate change
Recently, mankind has faced a new problem. It is connected with the fact that global climate changes are taking place on our planet. The fact of those changes that are observed in weather conditions, confirmed by scientists on the basis of research.
But, nevertheless, the topic "Global Climate Change" is still being raised during numerous discussions. Some scientists believe that our planet is waiting for a real thermal apocalypse, while others prophesy the arrival of another ice age. There is also an opinion that the Earth’s climate change is within its natural framework. Moreover, forecasts of the catastrophic consequences of such a phenomenon for our planet are very controversial.
Evidence of climate change
The fact that the air masses are currently warming up to a higher temperature is obvious without any instruments and measurements. Today, winters have become milder, and the summer months are hot and arid. All this suggests that climate warming is occurring. In addition, humanity is faced with devastating hurricanes and typhoons, as well as drought in Australia and floods in Europe. All this is the result of melting glaciers and rising water levels of the oceans.
However, Earth's climate change is not always associated with warming. So, in the Antarctic zone there is a decrease in average annual air temperature.
Causes of climate change
As mentioned above, the main factor that directly affects the weather conditions of our planet is the Sun. The activity of the celestial luminary causes magnetic storms and climate warming associated with a large warming of the air masses.
There are other reasons for the observed changes in weather conditions, which, like exposure to sunlight, are factors of natural origin. Some changes in the orbit of our planet, the Earth’s magnetic field, the size of the oceans and continents have an impact on climate warming. Volcanic eruptions also contribute to lowering the average annual temperature of air masses.
More recently, anthropogenic has been added to the natural factors of climate change. This is an effect caused by human activities. The anthropogenic factor enhances the greenhouse effect, which affects climate change eight times more than changes resulting from solar activity.
Possible effects of climate warming
An increase in the average annual temperature of the air masses will cause changes in the life of some representatives of the animal world. An example of this is seals, polar bears and penguins. They will have to change their habitat after the disappearance of polar ice. However, not only these representatives of the fauna will be affected by the warmer climate of the Earth. The problems of climate change will affect many other animals. They may simply disappear before they adapt to the new habitat. The flora awaits the same fate. According to scientists, global warming, which happened 250 million years ago, caused the disappearance of more than seventy-five percent of all living organisms.
Climate change on a global scale will cause a shift in the boundaries of natural zones to the north. In addition, it will cause hurricanes and floods, an increase in the temperature and water level of the oceans, as well as a decrease in summer rainfall.
Global warming will affect a person. So, there are assumptions about the occurrence of problems with drinking water and farming, as well as about the increase in the number of infectious diseases. The poorest countries, which are least willing to take measures to mitigate the effects of warming, are waiting for the most serious blow. All the results of the work of previous generations will be in jeopardy. About six hundred million people may be on the verge of starvation.
Climate warming will cause glaciers to melt, leading to rising sea levels and flooding of small islands. In coastal areas, frequent flooding is possible. This will lead to the disappearance of Denmark, the Netherlands and parts of Germany. Further, after global warming, a period of global cooling may come.
Of course, all this is just a scenario predicted by scientists. However, humanity should think about its future and reduce the negative impact on our planet. Danger is better to overestimate than to neglect it.