Temperature variation has a huge impact on the planets natural systems and the way that human communities function and interact with the environment. In many contrasting areas of the world it is temperature that determines industries such as farming and tourism. This easy will discuss and analyse the factors that influence global temperatures and evaluate their relative importance.
Perhaps the most fundamental of these factors is Latitude. Latitude or distance from the equator is crucial for determining overall surface temperatures. This is demonstrated by comparing mean monthly temperatures of the Scilly Isles (11.5 degrees) with Fort William on the North coast of Scotland (9.1 degrees). This is explained because areas closer to the equator have a surplus of heat energy for a number of reasons. Firstly at the equator the sun is at a 90 degree angle in relation to the earth’s surface and consequently receives a more focused form of radiation. In polar region’s the suns radiation is far more spread out because of the curvature of the earth. In addition the sun’s rays have a reduced depth of atmosphere to travel through to reach the earth’s surface at the equator compared to the poles. Therefore there is a greater probability that there will be more scattering of radiation back out to space by dust particles in the polar regions than at the poles. Finally the diurnal range of temperature exhibits a greater variation in the higher latitudes due to the fact that the earth orbits on a tilt of 23 degrees. This means that polar region’s experience prolonged winter periods whilst areas at the equator receive 12 hours of sunlight each day of the year. All of these factors lead to the tropical areas of the world experiencing a heat surplus compared to the polar regions that receive a deficit. This difference in temperature sets in motion general atmospheric circulation and ocean currents both of which on a smaller scale determine temperatures to some degree, but on a...