Explain how a cyclic change in Earth's tilt could affect its seasonal temperatures.

The Earth's axial tilt, which is the angle between its rotational axis and its orbit around the Sun, plays a crucial role in determining seasonal temperatures.
Currently, this tilt is about 23.5 degrees.
This tilt causes different parts of Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year.
When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, it experiences summer because of the direct sunlight and longer days. Conversely, during winter, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, receiving less direct sunlight and shorter days.
On the other hand, the Southern Hemisphere experiences opposite seasons at the same time.
Without this tilt, we would not have the seasons as we know them; temperatures would remain relatively constant year-round.

Earth's axial tilt is not fixed; it varies between 22.1 degrees and 24.5 degrees over a cycle of approximately 41,000 years.
These variations, known as orbital variations or Milankovitch cycles, have significant implications for the Earth's climate.
When the tilt increases, seasonal differences become more pronounced. Summers are hotter because the Sun's rays strike the Earth more directly, and winters are colder because the rays hit at a more oblique angle.
When the tilt decreases, the seasonal differences are milder, resulting in more temperate climates.
These changes occur very slowly but have a profound effect on the Earth's long-term climate patterns.

Cyclic changes in Earth's tilt can contribute to long-term climate change.
Over thousands of years, these variations in axial tilt, combined with other factors like Earth's orbit shape and precession, affect the planet's climate.
For instance, during times of greater tilt, extreme seasonal temperatures can influence ice age cycles by affecting the amount of sunlight reaching polar regions and, subsequently, melting or accumulating ice sheets.
Moreover, understanding these natural cycles helps scientists differentiate between natural climatic shifts and anthropogenic (human-caused) climate changes, such as global warming.
Our current climate change challenges emphasize the importance of understanding both natural and human influences on our planet's climate system.