Re: Could weather be changed by changing the earth's axial rotation and orbit

You ask some interesting questions. Let's take them one by one.

First, the tilt of the Earth's axis, which gives us seasons, does in fact change, varying between 22 and 25 degrees over about 41,000 years. And the distance from the sun changes over a period of some 100,000 years and 400,000 years. In addition, there are changes in the time of year at which the Earth is closest and farthest from the sun, called the precession of the seasons. This cycle covers about 22,000 years. Taken together, these variances make up the Milankovitch theory of climate change, named for the astronomer who first described them all together. You can read more about this theory on NOAA's Paleoclimatology pages, the Alaska Science Forum, and other web locations.

Secondly, would melting the ice caps achieve an even temporate weather pattern? Not likely. Weather phenomena are driven by uneven heating on the Earth. Less tilt would mean less uneven heating and perhaps less variation in weather, but the shape of the Earth itself, and the presence of land and water masses ensures some differential heating remains.

Thirdly, having no Moon would get rid of most tidal action, although the sun contributes a smaller tidal pull and that would still remain. Losing the Moon would have additional consequences. Over geologic time, tides affect the speed of rotation and thus length of day.

A number of other consequences of no Moon are hypothesized and discussed in a book by Neil F. Comins, What If The Moon Didn't Exist? One of these is related to your last question, how these changes might affect conditions for life on Earth. Some scientists argue that optimum conditions for the evolution of living things on Earth exist in tidal pools and warmer climates. Others disagree. You can find Cummins book in libraries and bookstores. I think you'll a answers to a few of your questions, and likely it will provoke many more.