Climate, Weather, and Life
Learning Objectives
 Explain how weather and climate differ.
 Describe how Earth’s climate and average temperature
are determined.
 Explain the causes of ocean currents.
 Identify the factors that shape regional climates.
 Explain the processes involved in climate change.
Climate and Weather
Weather: day-to-day conditions of Earth’s atmosphere
Climate: long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation
over many years
Adapted from the Understanding Global Change Infographic, © University of California Museum of Paleontology, Berkeley.
Solar Energy and the Greenhouse Effect
Smaller amount of energy
passes back through walls.
Energy enters
as light.
Much of the energy
is trapped as heat.
The Greenhouse Effect on Earth
Sunlight
Light reflected by
earth’s surface
Heat lost to space
Heat reradiated
Greenhouse gases in atmosphere
Some solar energy
reflected, some
absorbed, and some
reradiated as heat
Heat absorbed and
reradiated by greenhouse
gases and retained in the
earth system
Latitude and Solar Energy
Global Winds
Warm air rising
Cold air sinking
Rising air mass
losing heat
Ocean Currents
Regional Climate
Air rises and cools,
releasing moisture.
Upwind side
Air descends,
warms, and
becomes drier,
decreasing moisture.
Downwind side
Changes in Climate
Climate change involves changes in temperature, clouds,
winds, patterns and amounts of precipitation, and the
frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
Adapted from the Understanding Global Change Infographic, © University of California Museum of Paleontology, Berkeley.
Nonhuman Causes of Climate Change
Not all factors that
impact climate
change are
human caused.
Adapted from the Understanding Global Change Infographic, © University of California Museum of Paleontology, Berkeley.