Ask Dr Stupid: Why is the equator hot?
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Mon, 29 Mar 2004 00:52:27 -0800
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 00:52:27 -0800
Message-Id: <200403290852.i2T8qRVT001799@flatus.studio42.com>
To: Dr. Stupid
From: public_rejection@hotmail.com (Samantha)
Subject: equator
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by
Samantha (public_rejection@hotmail.com) on Monday, March 29, 2004 at 00:52:27
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email: public_rejection@hotmail.com
realname: Samantha
subject: equator
Form-ID: Dr. Stupid Form
Message: Why is the equator hot?
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Dear Samantha:
There are many reasons why the equator is hot. It really depends on what your definition of what hot is. The equator is right in the middle of a band around the planet known as "The Tropics". In this area, on average, there is little change in temperator. While it's not always summer all the time, it's not always winter either, although this area, like the rest of the planet, has its seasons. In general, the seasonal changes are not as extreme as in other parts of the planet. This region gets a good amount of sun all year long, so the temperature tends to stay more in the range of nice to hot most of the time. Combine that with some regions also having high humidity, and that can result in a rather unpleasant experience if one is not used to that sort of thing.
As for a different definition of hot, well, there are still some "native" people who live in the Tropics. These are the remains of nomadic tribes and groups who are not "civilized" according to such standards as probably you and I are. They don't have building codes, paved roads, industries, restaurants, grocery stores or even mechanised transportation. In some way, we think we're superior to them because of our progress, while these people probably think they are superior to us for the exact same reason. As a result of their primitive lifestyle, they typically wander around naked. If you're into that sort of thing, maybe you consider that to be hot. Remember to not get sunburned in sensitive areas.
Lastly, due to greed and love of money, two things are going on, and these things are tied together. The beef and cattle industry needs room for their animals to roam and eat, which in itself isn't the problem unless you count the large amounts of methane gasses these animals emit. Scientists are trying to blame cow farts for global warming, as well as pig and sheep and goat farts as well. Hey, people fart too! On a side-note, scientists are trying to convince us that all the exhaust fumes from cars and other motorized vehicles as well as power plants and industrial sites have little or nothing to do with global warming. I guess it depends who is paying those research grants. At any rate, the two things going on are the clear-cutting of the rain forests, and then the burning of said forests to totally clear the land in order to make room for cattle ranches. Often the trees cut down are used for paper, furniture and housing as well, so it is not a total waste. Still, the rain forests are a vital part of the biosphere and we're just hurting the entire planet in the long run in exchange for short term monetary gain. These trees that are destroyed fulfill many uses. One purpose of the rain forest is to help clean the air, because as we all know, plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off some amount of oxygen. Another purpose these forests serve is the same as other forests, they absorb some of the heat energy of the sun instead of just reflecting it out. Less shade means higher temperatures, and less trees and plant life in a region also leads to higher temperature variances between night and day. Ever been in the desert? It gets really hot during the day, and it can get really really colde at night because there is little plant life to hold in some of that heat. Lasty, and most important, these rain forests are the only habitats for certain types of plants, animals, insects and other organisms. Man is still discovering new life on the surface of this planet, as well as below the water. There is a very real possibility that man is driving animals into extinction before they can even be discovered. Once a life is gone, it is gone forever, and any benefit that it provided vanishes with it. Even animals that do "bad" things are still serving a vital purpose in the ecology of a habitat.
Wait, I'll bet I'm getting too deep for you. Just don't use this for some school project, OK?
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