Table of Contents
The solar system consists of the sun and eight planets; however, there are also other objects such as the moon, asteroids, and comets in the solar system. Some of the planets and the objects in the solar system impact the earth in one way or another. For instance, the position of the moon affects the earth’s gravitational forces that causes tides in the oceans (Baker 1670). The object in the solar system that I believe is the most important to explore is the Sun. This is because the activities of the sun have significant impacts on the weather and temperatures of man’s environment; however, scientists have conflicting views regarding the impacts of the sun on global warming. In this regard, I would like scientists to engage in an in-depth exploration of solar activities to help us learn how they contribute towards the recent crisis of global warming and adverse weather patterns.
The concept, the mechanisms involved and its significance to the human environment
Global warming, which refers to the recent rise in temperatures leading to climate change, which has led to adverse weather patterns across the globe such as the rise in sea levels, extreme weather temperatures, drought, and melting of ice (Willetts, Guadagno, and Ikkala 5).
The activities of the sun have direct and indirect impacts on the atmosphere and consequently the climate of the earth. The mechanism through which the sun affects the earth’s temperature is via radiation from the sun to the earth, after which the sun’s energy is absorbed by the earth, which converts it to heat that warms the earth. According to the results of the various scientific studies, the cycle of the sun’s activity takes 11 years to complete (Phys.org, par. 2). During this period, the amount of radiation that reaches the earth fluctuates from time to time, and this impacts the temperatures of the earth. According to Phys.org. an increase in the activities of the sun results in the warming of the earth, and this results in increased temperature that melts the ice regions, and consequently a rise in the sea levels (par. 3). However, a decrease in the activity of the sun may result into the earth becoming cooler or warm, for example, in 2004 to 2007, the activity of the sun declined, but the earth became warmer (Phys.org. par. 2). This shows that the sun’s activity needs to be explored further to determine the properties of the sun that cause the cooling or warming of the earth’s atmosphere. The exploration should focus on the connection between solar activity and its energy output.
Exploring the sun helps understand solar activity and how it impacts human environment. The temperature also affects human environment because it may result in too cold or too hot temperatures. This is because the heat from the sun is what make the earth habitable or not by man. It also causes droughts and floods due to the rise in sea levels, and this cause the loss of life for living things in the human environment.
- Baker, D. N. “Effects of the Sun on the Earth’s environment.” Journal of atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial, 62.17-18 (2000): 1669-1681.
- Phys.org. “Study sheds new light on how the Sun affects the Earth’s climate.” https://phys.org, 2010. Web. April. 19. 2017. <https://phys.org/news/2010-10-sun-affects-earth-climate.html>
- Willetts, E., Guadagno, L., & Ikkala, N., 2010. Addressing Climate Change, Issues and Solutions from around the World. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.