1. World Climate Patterns
Climate Regions and Biomes
The world is organized into four climate zones: tropical, dry, multilatitude, and high-latitude.
A biome is an ecological community defined by distinctive plant and animal groups.
Tropical climates are found in or near the low latitudes.
Dry climates are semi-arid (steppe) or arid (desert).
Midlatitude climates have variable weather patterns.
High-latitude climates have freezing temperatures all year.

6. World Climate Patterns
Climate Change
Climate change refers to major changes in the factors used to measure climate over an extended period of time.
Indicators of climate change include rising global temperatures and severe weather changes, such as intense heat waves and severe weather events.
Scientists study the interrelationships among ocean temperatures, greenhouse gases, wind patterns, and cloud cover to find clues for causes of climate change.