Humans and the atmosphere are interconnected. The atmosphere warms the Earth and provides protection from solar radiation, allowing life to exist. Earth’s climate regions are determined by global winds and weather patterns and provide the habitat and resources to support human life. Weather impacts the day-to-day activities of people. Sometimes, the weather becomes severe and has an even larger impact on humans and their property.

Human actions can impact the atmosphere. Burning fossil fuels creates air pollution that changes the delicate balance of gases in the atmosphere. The consequences of these changes are not fully understood, but mounting evidence shows that global warming will change life on Earth in permanent ways. Releasing chlorofluorocarbons decreased the amount of ozone in the atmosphere. Scientists were able to determine the source of the chlorofluorocarbons and eliminate the concern. Now, scientists need to determine the necessary steps to stop the planet from warming. It is important for humans to understand Earth’s atmosphere and the ways it is affected by human activity.