The solar energy that strikes the Earth follows many paths. Light-colored objects like clouds and snow reflect a third of the sun's energy back into space. Fortunately, the Earth and its atmosphere also absorb nearly half, warming the world. Some of the energy evaporates water from oceans, forests, lakes, and moist ground, creating rain clouds. Another small percentage causes winds to blow.

Only a sliver of the solar energy hitting our world-much less than one-tenth of one percent-powers photosynthesis. This photosynthesis ultimately provides all our food and is the basis for life on Earth.