Final answer:
The Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere protect us from high-energy cosmic rays, with the magnetic field creating the Van Allen radiation belts which shield us from the majority of these harmful particles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The global population is primarily shielded from high-energy, bombarding cosmic rays by the Earth's atmosphere and the Earth's magnetic field. The magnetic field traps some of the incoming charged particles, creating the Van Allen radiation belts, which form intense radiation fields. These prevent the full force of cosmic radiation from reaching the Earth's surface. Additionally, the atmosphere itself disperses a significant amount of cosmic radiation. Cosmic rays that enter the atmosphere can cause molecules to glow, resulting in phenomena like the auroras, also known as the northern and southern lights.