Why is our climate like this?
The climate system is influenced by complex interactions between the atmosphere, oceans, land, ice, and biosphere. Key to this is the huge temperature gradient between the poles (-35C) and the equator (+30C) The excess heat from the tropics is redistributed by oceans and atmosphere in currents and winds - the global circulation system. This is the engine or powerhouse behind our weather and creates a dynamic or energetic climate which is susceptible to change.
This activity supports learners to consider the main influences on the climate system. The key questions they will consider are what is the climate system? and what are the main influences on climate?
This activity is provided by © Royal Geographic Society (with IBG) under an 'All Rights Reserved' license.
Preparation
Download the information sheet below
Location
- Indoors
Step by step
Share the contextual information and tasks below with students to guide them through the activity.
Starter
The climate system includes and is influenced by complex interactions between the atmosphere, oceans, land, ice and biosphere.
Ask learners to look at the Climate Systems information in the download to learn about why the world has different climatic zones.
Main activity
From the information sheet you should now know more about the influences on the World's climate:
- Latitude
- Location relative to continents and oceans
- Situation in relation to large scale atmospheric circulation patterns
- Altitude
- Local geographical features such as topography (hills and mountains) or the nature of a built up area
Ask students the following questions:
- How would you explain each process to a young audience of 10 year olds?
- What are the key words you would use?
In pairs, students can write a five minute presentation that explains each of the processes and present this to their class.
Use the rest of the lesson for pairs to present these to the rest of the group.
Plenary
As a class, make a criteria for judging each pair’s presentation.
Ask students to use the criteria to decide which pair made the best presentation and why?
Curriculum links
Key concepts
- Place - understanding the physical and human characteristics of real places.
- Scale - appreciating different scales – from personal and local to national, international and global.
- Physical processes – understanding how sequences of events and activities in the physical and human worlds lead to change in places, landscapes and societies.
Range and content
- A variety of scales, from personal, local, regional, national, international and continental, to global.
- Physical geography: the study of weather and climate, and why they vary from place to place.
Key processes
- Geographical enquiry
- Graphicacy and visual literacy - use atlases, globes, maps at a range of scales, photographs, satellite
images and other geographical data. - Geographical communication - communicate knowledge and understanding using geographical vocabulary and conventions in both speech and writing.