The Earth's climate and the problem of climate change. Climatic zones of Russia

Under the climate is understood the long-term regime of weather conditions or the average state of the atmosphere, characteristic of a certain locality. Its manifestation consists in the regular change of air temperature, wind force, precipitation, etc.

History of appearance

The word "climate" in Greek means "slope". In scientific turnover, this concept has existed for more than two thousand years. It was first mentioned in the works of the ancient Greek astronomer Hipparchus. With this word the scientist tried to show that the slope of the Earth's surface to the rays of the Sun is the determining factor in the formation of weather conditions in any locality from the equator to the poles.

Climate Impact

Depending on these or other weather conditions, there is a state of living and inanimate nature. The climate affects water bodies and soil, flora and fauna. The conditions of the life of human society and its economic activities depend on the state of the atmosphere of this or that locality. Take, for example, agriculture. Yields of cultivated crops directly depend on air temperature, rainfall and many other weather factors.

The climate of the Earth influences the life of the oceans and seas, marshes and lakes. In addition, he takes a direct part in the process of shaping the relief. In other words, all processes that take place in the life of the surface of our planet depend on the 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 heavenly body. In turn, the types of Earth's climate depend on the total solar radiation that falls into one or another locality. The amount of heat entering our planet decreases in the direction from the equator to the poles. This is due to the change in the angle of incidence of the rays, in other words, depends on the latitude of the terrain.

The state in which the atmosphere is located and the Earth's climates are closely related. In each of the belts the sun warms up the air in different ways. Thus, 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 below zero. What can we say about the whole globe? Scientists have calculated that during the year the average air temperature near the surface of our planet is at the level of fourteen degrees of heat.

Atmosphere pressure

This phenomenon is one of the main factors shaping the climate of the Earth. Thus, in the immediate vicinity of the equator, the air mass pressure is reduced. This state, which is experienced by the atmosphere, contributes to the creation of intense ascending flows. They form cumulonimbus clouds, from which precipitation falls. 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 is located and the Earth's climates have an indissoluble connection is also evidenced by the weather in subtropical latitudes. Here, between 30 and 35 parallel, the air masses have a high pressure. This produces the formation of subtropical anticyclones. Their movement is carried out in a latitudinal direction. The general circulation of the atmosphere of this zone is a whole system of air currents. So, from the subtropical anticyclones towards the equator, trade winds are blowing (steady winds). There are also tropical cyclones and monsoons. The first of these two phenomena is very low pressure, as well as hurricane and storm winds. Tropical monsoons dominate the southeastern outskirts of Eurasia, as well as the associated water areas of the Pacific and Indian oceans. In the middle latitudes the climate of the Earth is affected by the western winds.

Types of air masses

Characteristics of the climate of a particular zone depends to a large extent on the place where the layers of the atmosphere above it were formed. Thus, air masses can be formed either at a certain latitude or over the surface of oceans or continents. That is why the layers of the atmosphere 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

Weather conditions in this or that region are significantly influenced by the terrain. Large forms, located on the surface of the Earth, are a kind of mechanical obstacle. It protects the territory from winds, as well as from other air masses. Such mechanical obstacles that affect the climate of the Earth are the mountains. Even in the event that air currents pass through them, the loss of most of the moisture reserves occurs. This greatly changes the nature of the winds. That is why the mountains, as a rule, serve as the boundary behind which the types of the Earth's climate change.

Special weather conditions are created inside the stone ridges. In this zone there is not even one, but many different climates. A good example of this is the Caucasus. Here, different climatic conditions are observed in the region of the southern and northern slopes, the Armenian upland, the Kuro-Araksin and Rion lowlands, etc. In addition, whatever the mountain conditions we consider, the climatic characteristics will have vertical zoning. This is particularly pronounced in the soil and vegetation layer, which is represented in a wide range from forest ranges 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 identify five climatic zones or zones. Among them one is hot, two are temperate, and also two cold ones.

In addition to the uneven distribution of solar energy, the Earth's climate is determined mainly by the circulation of the atmosphere. For example, for a zone that adjoins directly to the equator, the predominance of the ascending currents of air is characteristic. In connection with this there is a climatic belt, the richest in rain. There are also such territories on our planet where the trade winds exert their influence. They are created by downward air currents. These are zones where the territories are poor in precipitation.

All this indicates that the zone of hot climate in each of the hemispheres can additionally be divided into two belts. One of them, rich in rains, is called equatorial. The second, where there is little precipitation, is called tropical.

A similar characteristic of the Earth's climate exists in the temperate zone. There are also two belts here. One of them is subtropical, where there is heat, but little precipitation. The second belt is moderate. It is characterized by heavy rainfall and a lower air temperature.

The cold zone also differs from one another. Thus, studying the climatic conditions of the Arctic, scientists decided to allocate two belts here. One of them is arctic, and the second is subarctic. The first one is the coldest. The air temperature in the subarctic zone, as a rule, is much below zero, even in the warmest months of the year. No wonder this territory is considered the realm of eternal ice and snow. Subarctic belt is slightly warmer. This is the zone of the tundra, where in the summer months the air temperature can rise to a mark of 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 definite boundaries between these zones do not exist. This is influenced by the annual movement of our planet, the result of which are different seasons. How to maximally study all the climates of the Earth? The table, which can be compiled for clarity, should contain the characteristics of each of the zones, such as the average annual temperature, the amount of precipitation, the type of atmospheric circulation, and geographical location.

Climatic zones on the territory of Russia

Regions of our country occupy huge areas. That is why the climatic zones of Russia are very diverse. The map with their image is enough convincing evidence. Here you can see areas with this type of climate, such as:

- Arctic;

- Subarctic;

- moderate;

- subtropical.

Are there other climatic zones in Russia? The map says that there are no equatorial and tropical belts on the territory of our country.

Climate change

In recent times, humanity has faced a new challenge. It is connected with the fact that global climate changes are taking place on our planet. The fact that the changes that are observed in weather conditions, confirmed by scientists on the basis of studies.

But, nevertheless, the topic "Global Climate Change" is still raised during numerous discussions. Some scientists believe that our planet is waiting for a real heat apocalypse, while others predict the arrival of another glacial period. There is also an opinion that the Earth's climate change is within natural limits. However, the predictions of catastrophic consequences of this phenomenon for our planet are very controversial.

Evidence of climate change

The fact that air masses are currently warming up to a higher temperature is evident without any instruments or measurements. Today the winters have become softer, and the summer months are characterized by heat and aridity. All this indicates that the climate is warming. In addition, humanity is facing devastating hurricanes and typhoons, as well as with drought in Australia and floods in Europe. All this is a consequence of melting glaciers and raising the water level of the World Ocean.

However, climate change in the Earth is not always related to warming. Thus, in the Antarctic zone, the average annual air temperature is decreasing.

Causes of climate change

As already mentioned above, the main factor that directly affects the weather conditions of our planet is the Sun. The activity of the celestial body is caused by magnetic storms and warming of the climate, associated with a large warming of the air masses.

There are other reasons for the observed changes in weather conditions, which, like the effects of sunlight, are natural factors. Some of the changes in the orbit of our planet, the terrestrial magnetic field, the size of the oceans and continents, have their influence on the warming of the climate. The decrease in the average annual temperature of air masses is also facilitated by volcanic eruptions.

More recently, anthropogenic has been added to the natural factors of climate change. This is an impact caused by human activities. The anthropogenic factor enhances the greenhouse effect, which affects climate change eight times more than the changes that occur as a result of solar activity.

Possible consequences of climate warming

An increase in the average annual temperature of the air masses will cause changes in the lives 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 the polar ice. However, not only these fauna representatives will reflect the warmer climate of the Earth. Problems of climate change will affect many other animals. They can simply disappear without having to adapt to the new habitat. The same fate awaits and the plant world. 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 areas to the north. In addition, it will cause hurricanes and floods, rising temperatures and water levels of the oceans, as well as reducing summer precipitation.

Global warming will also affect people. So, there are assumptions about the occurrence of problems with drinking water and agriculture, as well as the increase in the number of infectious diseases. The most serious blow is expected by the poorest countries, which are least ready to take measures to eliminate the effects of warming. All the results of previous generations will be under threat. On the verge of hunger may be about six hundred million people.

The warming of the climate will cause melting of glaciers, which will lead to an increase in the water level of the world's oceans and the flooding of small islands. In coastal areas, however, frequent floods are possible. This will lead to the disappearance of Denmark, the Netherlands and part of Germany. Further after global warming, a global cooling period may occur.

Of course, all this is only a scenario, predicted by scientists. However, mankind should think about its future and reduce the negative impact on our planet. The danger is better to be overestimated than neglected.