Final answer:
The statement that nearly all the Earth's energy comes from the Sun is true. The Sun provides solar radiation which is absorbed by the Earth, leading to our climate and weather patterns. Greenhouse gases increase the Earth's ability to retain this heat, enhancing the Greenhouse Effect, essential for life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that nearly all the energy that drives the Earth's climate comes from the Sun is A. True.
The Sun provides the vast majority of energy that affects Earth's climate. This energy arrives in the form of solar radiation, which includes light, heat, and other types of electromagnetic radiation. Earth absorbs some of this energy and reflects the rest back into space. The absorbed energy is responsible for heating the planet's surface and atmosphere, leading to weather patterns and climate change.
Greenhouse gases play a significant role in retaining the Sun's energy. They allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere but trap the infrared radiation (heat) that the surface emits back into space. This trapping of heat is known as the Greenhouse Effect, and it's crucial for maintaining a habitable climate on Earth. Without the Greenhouse Effect, Earth would lose too much heat and would be too cold for most forms of life to survive.