From the catastrophic impact of drought and avalanches, to concerns about the effects of El Nino and La Nina, this book aims to raise questions and reveal wonders of the Earth's climate. The text explores and explains this complex story and looks closely at the individual climatic zones, from the frigid climes of the polar ice caps to the scorching heat of the world's deserts. After explaining what makes each zone unique, the author explores how the climate has influenced the development of human and plant life, such as human adaptation to living in extreme cold or heat or the immense diversity of plant species found in the rainforests. Special feature spreads illustrate how the elements interact to create effects that may be felt not just locally, but thousands of miles away too. Technical aspects of the climate are graphically explained, and their subtle effects on the environment and human life are illustrated. The future of the planet is explored, including the influence climate can have on our health and the possibility of our controlling the weather.