In the last exercise, you learned that any change in the Earth's temperature can make the whole planet's radiation balance uneven. The average surface temperature of the Earth is around 15°C, but the planet has enormous local differences in temperature, ranging from arctic to tropical conditions. Some regions can be 30°C in the summer and -30°C in the winter. What factors affect these local weather patterns?

What factors are important in keeping the average temperature constant on Earth despite local fluctuations? In Topic 5, you will learn about the Greenhouse Effect, a climate factor which plays a vital role in regulating the Earth’s surface temperature.