Arctic Climate
Save
Arctic climate is the long-term average of weather conditions in the Arctic region. It is influenced by a number of factors, including the Earth's tilt, the ocean currents, and the amount of solar radiation that reaches the region. Arctic climate is changing rapidly due to human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels. This is causing the Arctic to warm at twice the rate of the rest of the planet, and is having a significant impact on the region's environment and people.
What is Arctic climate?
Arctic climate is the long-term average of weather conditions in the Arctic region. It is influenced by a number of factors, including:
- The Earth's tilt: The Earth's tilt causes the Arctic to receive less solar radiation than the tropics. This makes the Arctic colder than the tropics.
- The ocean currents: The ocean currents in the Arctic help to distribute heat around the region. The Gulf Stream, for example, brings warm water from the tropics to the Arctic. This helps to keep the Arctic warmer than it would be otherwise.
- The amount of solar radiation that reaches the region: The amount of solar radiation that reaches the Arctic varies throughout the year. During the summer, the Arctic receives more solar radiation than the tropics. This is because the Earth's tilt causes the Arctic to be tilted towards the sun during the summer. During the winter, the Arctic receives less solar radiation than the tropics. This is because the Earth's tilt causes the Arctic to be tilted away from the sun during the winter.
How is Arctic climate changing?
Arctic climate is changing rapidly due to human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels. This is causing the Arctic to warm at twice the rate of the rest of the planet. The warming of the Arctic is having a significant impact on the region's environment and people.
What are the impacts of climate change in the Arctic?
The warming of the Arctic is having a number of significant impacts on the region's environment and people. These impacts include:
