What factors cause differing amounts of energy to strike the surface of the earth, in turn causing differences

Answer 1

Not too sure what you are asking by energy striking Earth but I'll do my best to answer.

Sunlight, for one, reaches the surface therefore Earth maintains heat, life, radiation, and even plate techtonics and weather.
http://www.livescience.com/environment/050505_earth_bright.html there is a little bit of an arguement with the Global Warming issue but read the effects of the sun. (pictures behind the article make it hard to read just highlight as if you are going to copy the artical you will see the words easier)

A meteorite striking the Earth (depending on size) can cause shock to the Earth's surface. could induce Earthquakes or (aftershocks) if enough dust and small debris is plumed into the atmosphere can cause temporary climate change.