Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
GLOBAL CLIMATES
AND GLOBAL CLIMATE
CHANGE
C H A P T E R N I N E
The previous chapters examined features associated with Earth's atmosphere, including the flow of radiation
within it, air circulation, and weather systems. Although these concepts can be viewed individually, they can also
be considered holistically because they interact to form predictable patterns. The development of midlatitude
cyclones, for example, is related to atmospheric circulation, air pressure, precipitation, and the seasonal effects
associated with Earth-Sun geometry. This chapter integrates all of the processes discussed so far in this text by
focusing on the broad global patterns associated with world climate regions, past climate fluctuations, and future
climate change.
