Which of the following statements about climate is FALSE?

A. Deserts usually occur at very low altitudes.
B. Temperatures usually decrease with altitude.
C. Coastal temperatures are usually cooler than inland temperatures.
D. The southern hemisphere is warmer than the northern hemisphere.
E. Average temperature declines with distance from the equator.

D. Is false because they both should have the same temps depending on distance from the equator.

The false statement about climate among the options provided is:

A. Deserts usually occur at very low altitudes.

To determine which statement about climate is false, let's analyze each option.

A. Deserts usually occur at very low altitudes.
To verify if this statement is true or false, we need to understand where deserts are commonly found. Deserts are typically associated with areas that receive very little rainfall, and they can occur at various altitudes. While some deserts like the Mojave Desert in North America are located at relatively low altitudes, others like the Atacama Desert in South America are found at high altitudes. Therefore, statement A is not universally true.

B. Temperatures usually decrease with altitude.
To confirm if this statement is true or false, we need to examine the relationship between altitude and temperature. In general, temperatures tend to decrease as altitude increases. This is because the air becomes thinner at higher altitudes, resulting in reduced heat retention from the sun's energy. Therefore, statement B is typically true.

C. Coastal temperatures are usually cooler than inland temperatures.
To verify if this statement is true or false, we must compare the climate patterns near coasts and inland areas. Coastal areas often experience a moderating effect from large bodies of water, which helps regulate temperatures. Inland regions, on the other hand, tend to have more extreme temperature fluctuations due to the absence of this moderating influence. Therefore, statement C is generally true.

D. The southern hemisphere is warmer than the northern hemisphere.
To ascertain if this statement is true or false, we need to consider the global distribution of temperature. Overall, the temperature differences between the hemispheres are primarily influenced by seasonal variations caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis. During certain months, the Southern Hemisphere experiences summer, while the Northern Hemisphere has winter and vice versa. However, it is essential to note that the specific temperature variations depend on various factors, including latitude, ocean currents, and atmospheric conditions. Therefore, statement D is not universally true.

E. Average temperature declines with distance from the equator.
To determine if this statement is true or false, we should assess the general trend of temperature change as we move away from the equator. As a rule, average temperatures do tend to decrease as we move further away from the equator and towards the Earth's poles. The equatorial regions receive more direct sunlight, resulting in higher temperatures, while polar regions receive less direct sunlight, leading to colder temperatures. Therefore, statement E is generally true.

In conclusion, after analyzing each statement:

- Statement A was found to be false.
- Statement B was found to be true.
- Statement C was found to be true.
- Statement D was found to be not universally true.
- Statement E was found to be generally true.

Therefore, the FALSE statement about climate is A. Deserts usually occur at very low altitudes.