Are scientists strictly logical and emotionless in their studies? Although science strives for objectivity, climate scientists often struggle to remain detached. The reality is that climate change affects us all and stirs up anxiety about the place we call home. There’s a sense of wonder and hope involved in finding the answers. And when it comes to climate science, you’ll find a multitude of wonders.

Did you know that scientists use climate models to understand our planet? With the help of math and code, they create digital versions of the Earth and simulate Earth’s systems to consider possible scenarios. As a climate scientist, Kate Marvel feels like Cassandra from Greek mythology: doomed to see the coming crisis and struggle to make others listen. Regrettably, climate reports are often dismissed or ignored.

But if we want to preserve our planet, we need to become curious about it. Let’s start with the essentials. Earth’s climate begins with energy from the sun, which originates from nuclear fusion. Our planet sits in the perfect “Goldilocks zone,” which means it’s not too hot like Mercury and not too cold like Neptune. If distance from the sun were the only factor, Earth would be around -18 °C (-0.4 °F). Instead, thanks to the greenhouse effect, it stays at a pleasant 15 °C (59 °F).

Everything warmer than absolute zero emits some form of light. Certain atmospheric substances and invisible infrared light are involved in the greenhouse effect. Our planet absorbs visible sunlight and becomes warmer, then radiates infrared energy back into space. Methane, carbon dioxide, and water vapor are examples of greenhouse gases that make up less than 1% of the atmosphere. It works like a blanket, soaking up infrared rays and sending some back to the planet’s surface.

Using climate models, scientists can also replicate global wind patterns. How? The Earth’s rotation deflects the flow of warm air that rises from the equator and moves toward the poles. As a result, weather patterns disperse moisture and heat globally. Ocean currents also function like that. While deep currents transport cold, salty water all around the globe, the Gulf Stream transports warm water northward.

These interdependent water and air systems shape Earth’s climate. Making forecasts is possible because of people’s comprehension of these basic processes. The key question is how rising greenhouse gas concentrations will affect Earth’s temperature and climate patterns.