Introduction to the Earth's Climate System
Kevin Trenberth
Former Coordinating Lead Author of the IPCC
The climate is a deciding factor in where to holiday, what food we eat and how we live. It guides animals in when to hibernate and when to mate. But what are the building blocks of our climate system and how does it work? Join pre-eminent climate scientist Kevin Trenberth as he guides us through the basics of the climate system.
The climate is a deciding factor in where to holiday, what food we eat and how we live. It guides animals in when to hibernate and when to mate. But what are the building blocks of our climate system and how does it work? Join pre-eminent climate scientist Kevin Trenberth as he guides us through the basics of the climate system.
Introduction to the Earth's Climate System
17 mins 2 secs
Our climate is a beautiful, interconnected and delicate balance of the Sun and our Earth. Put simply, the climate could be defined as: the average prevailing weather conditions in a region, including all the variability and extremes. It comprises five internal components (the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere and biosphere) and the largest external component (the Sun). However, human activity has interrupted this delicate balance, causing our current climate crisis. The climate change we refer to and are living through, is a cause for alarm due to how rapidly the changes are occurring.
Key learning objectives:
Learn what the climate system is
Identify the five internal climate components
Understand how human activity has caused the climate crisis
Kevin Trenberth
18:57
19:41
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