Why is the Sun Important to Life on Earth?
The Sun is important to life on Earth because: 1. The Sun provides the energy for almost all life on Earth, including you. 2. The Sun’s energy provides all of the energy that keeps the Earth’s climate just right: not too hot or cold and within a very narrow temperature range, where water remains liquid. The Sun’s energy is distributed around the Earth’s surface by winds and ocean currents. 3. Practically everything that moves across the surface of the Earth is ultimately powered by the Sun, whether alive or not. Unless you use nuclear or hydrogen fuels, sunlight is powering your hair dryer, the tv, and your car. Image: Millions of people enjoy the beaches every year. A day at the beach would not be the same without the sun. Photographer – Brian Robson, image used with permission Only a few activities on Earth are not fueled directly by the Sun: 1. The movement of the Earth’s tectonic plates 2. Organisms dependent on chemosynthetic food webs 3. Geothermal circulation The remaining Earth
