Final answer:
The statement is false; insolation is higher at the equator than the poles due to the directness of the sun's rays at the equator. The tilt of Earth's axis, rather than the proximity to the sun, is what primarily causes the seasons, changing the angle of sunlight and thus, the concentration of solar energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Insolation at Earth's surface is higher near the poles than along the equator' is false. Insolation, or incoming solar radiation, tends to be higher at the equator than at the poles. This is because the sun's rays strike the equator more directly, spreading less and thus delivering more energy per unit area. Near the poles, the sun's rays are more spread out and hit the Earth at a lower angle, resulting in less concentrated energy and lower temperatures.
During the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole receives continuous sunlight, yet due to the low angle of the sun's rays, the temperature often doesn't rise above the freezing point. These observations help to understand why the equator, which receives more direct sunlight year-round, is warmer than the poles.
A possible argument against the idea that the Northern Hemisphere's warmth during June is due primarily to its physical proximity to the sun could be that Earth's distance from the sun changes very little throughout the year, and instead, the tilt of Earth's axis is what causes the seasons by changing the angle at which the sun's rays hit different parts of the Earth.