What is the primary driver of Earth's seasons?

The primary driver of Earth's seasons is the tilt of Earth's axis relative to its orbit around the sun. Earth is tilted at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees from the perpendicular to its orbital plane. This axial tilt causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year as it moves along its elliptical orbit.

During one part of the year, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, resulting in longer days and increased sunlight intensity, which we experience as summer. Conversely, when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, it experiences shorter days and less intense sunlight, leading to winter. The Southern Hemisphere experiences opposite seasons simultaneously.

The distance of Earth from the sun does have a small impact on seasonal temperature variations, but it does not directly cause the seasons themselves. Similarly, while changes in solar activity and global wind patterns can influence climate and weather, they are not the fundamental reason behind the seasonal changes that occur due to the tilt of the Earth's axis.