1. 5.1 What is Climate? 5.2 Climate Zones
Chapter 5: Climate
5.1 What is Climate?
5.2 Climate Zones

2. Climate
Climate: refers to the average conditions of temperature, precipitation, wind, and clouds.
The water cycle determines climate patterns, but temperature and precipitation are affected by specific factors.

3. Latitude Latitude refers to the distance of an area from the equator.
Areas closer to the equator have warmer climates.
Tropical zone: near equator, 23.5 degrees N and S; direct sunlight all year
Polar zone: near poles; degrees N and S
Temperate zone: between tropical and polar; hot summers and cold winters.

4. Latitude

5. Altitude
Mountainous areas have a cooler climate due to higher altitude.
Remember: air gets cooler as you go higher in the troposphere.

6. Large Bodies of Water
Marine climates (those near large bodies of water) have mild winters and cool summers.
Continental climates (those away from bodies of water) have cold winters and warm/hot summers.

7. Precipitation
Prevailing winds: Winds from the ocean carry more precipitation than continental winds.
Mountain ranges: the windward side of the mountain gets more precipitation; the leeward side is generally cooler and dry.
Seasonal winds: sea and land breezes that change direction with seasons are monsoons.

8. Climate Zones

9. Main Climate Regions Tropical Rainy – rain forests / savannas
Dry – steppe / desert
Temperate Marine – humid subtropical/marine west coast/Mediterranean
Temperate Continental- humid continental / subarctic
Polar – tundra/ice cap
Highlands – mountains

10. 5.4 Human Activities and the Climate
Chapter 5: Climate
5.4 Human Activities and the Climate

11. Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse gases absorb heat that it trying to escape Earth’s atmosphere.
Water vapor, CO2, and methane (CH4)

12. Greenhouse Effect
Humans need this to keep the Earth warm enough to live on, but too much can cause the global temperature to rise.
We release excess carbon dioxide by burning fossil fuels (coal, gas, and oil) for energy.
Livestock release methane into the air.

13. Climate Temperature
The average temp is increasing in the atmosphere, known as global warming.
More GHG are released, trapping excess heat.
Could lead to melting glaciers, rising sea levels, drought, desertification, and changes to biosphere.

14. Protecting the Atmosphere
Clean energy sources: solar, wind, water, geothermal, and nuclear.
Efficient energy: technology to reduce the use of burning fossil fuels for energy
Carbon capture: reducing carbon release