What is the primary driver of weather and climate on Earth?

The primary driver of weather and climate on Earth is solar energy. The Sun provides the energy that warms the Earth's surface, which in turn heats the atmosphere above. This heating is uneven due to various factors such as the angle of sunlight, surface characteristics (land versus water), and the Earth's tilt and orbit, leading to temperature variations.

These variations create pressure differences in the atmosphere, initiating wind patterns that are responsible for weather systems. Additionally, solar energy drives the water cycle, which influences humidity and precipitation. Ocean currents, while influenced by solar heating and critical for distributing thermal energy across the planet, are secondary in comparison to the fundamental role of solar energy in initiating and maintaining the Earth's weather and climate systems. Atmospheric pressure, influenced by temperature, is a response to these changes rather than a primary driving force. Thus, solar energy stands out as the essential element that underpins weather and climate dynamics on Earth.