Solar energy that reaches Earth's surface is partially reflected and partially absorbed and converted to heat energy by the land and ocean waters. Tilt of Earth - since Earth's axis is tilted relative to the plane of Earth's orbit, the amount of sunlight reaching the poles varies with the seasons. Most sunlight reaches the tropics. This gradient sets up convection currents in the atmosphere between the poles and the equator. Winds - carry heat, mostly as water vapor, toward the poles.
Clouds influence the amount of sunlight reaching Earth's surface.
Aerosols - aerosols in the air may scatter sunlight. In addition to providing water and heat to the atmosphere as part of the hydrologic cycle, the oceans also distribute heat around Earth through ocean currents. One major current subsystem that carries heat in the ocean is referred to as the global conveyor belt . The oceans transport heat from the equatorial regions to the polar regions in a global circuit. As heat is lost to the atmosphere in the north, the colder water sinks below in the warmer surface layer and migrates throughtout the depths of the global oceans.