Chapter 14, Problem 1RQ

To determine

The reason why it is important to monitor all parts of the climate system.

Answer to Problem 1RQ

The Earth system is a complex combination of various spheres of the Earth. Even the minor changes in any of the system influence the other system in one way or the other. The climate does not merely deal with the atmosphere. The exchange of energy that occurs between these spheres results in the change in climatic system. Hence, it is important to monitor all parts of the climate system.

Explanation of Solution

The Earth system is a complex combination of various spheres of the Earth. Even the minor changes in any of the system influence the other system in one way or the other. The climate does not merely deal with the atmosphere.

Climate is defined as the long-term aggregate of average atmospheric conditions. It is the combination of relatively longer weather conditions. The climatic system includes the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.

The cryosphere is a part of the Earth's surface, where the water is in the solid form. This includes sea ice, glaciers, snow, fresh ice, and the frozen ground, which is called permafrost. The exchange of energy that occurs between these spheres results in the change in the climatic system.