The average temperature near the poles is lower than at the equator because of the angle at which sunlight strikes the ground. Sunlight hits the Earth most directly at the equator, and as we move away from it, the same amount of energy is spread over a larger area due to the curvature of the Earth. This means that each unit area receives less energy, and hence less heat, than a similar unit area closer to the equator. Additionally, the Earth’s axis tilts approximately 23.5° from vertical relative to the plane of its orbit around the sun. This axial tilt means that during the Earth’s journey around the sun, each pole receives varying amounts of sunlight 12.
The curvature of the Earth causes the Sun’s energy to spread out over larger areas with increasing latitude. The greater the land area that energy spreads across, the lower the energy per unit area. Ultimately, the temperature in an area depends on the amount of solar energy reaching its surface. The amount of solar energy in a given area is greater at the equator than in an equal area at the poles, which is why temperatures are warmer at the equator than near the poles 1.