1.

The Climate System

Commonality: changes in atmospheric variables
Differences: period of time

Weather
-what is happening now (today, this week,
this month)

Climate
-average weather over a time period of
decades to centuries
Weather Climate
Climate
Greek, klima; angle of incidence of the
sun

the mean and variability of relevant

atmospheric variables such as temperature,
precipitation and wind.

long-term prevailing weather conditions

WMO: 3 Decades
Solar radiation is the ultimate energy
source for the climate system

1. warms the atmosphere and oceans;

2. fuels winds and ocean currents;
3. activates phase changes of water;
4. drives chemical transformations; and
5. supports biological activity.
5 Components of the Climate System
Atmosphere
a dynamic collection of
gases that constantly move
and change

form several layers around

Earth that are loosely defined
by composition and
temperature
Temperature can reach up to
1500 C

No ozone

Ozone peaks at 25 km

All weather occurs in this part

Importance of Atmosphere
1. protects life forms from harmful solar radiation
2. traps heat close to the planet’s surface
3. provides an energy circulation system
(through wind and pressure systems)
4. maintains the gases that support life on Earth
Biosphere
narrow zone of the earth in
which all life forms exist

abiotic (physical and

inorganic) components; biotic
(organic) components; energy
components
Abiotic Component
lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere

Biotic Component
plants, animals, humans, microorganisms

Energy Component
sun is the major source of energy without which we
can not think about the existence of the biosphere
Hydrosphere
discontinuous water shell of
the Earth between
atmosphere and solid Earth
crust , including oceans, seas
and water surface on the land
evaporation - liquid -> water
vapor

condensation - water vapor ->

liquid water

precipitation - water from

clouds in the form of rain
Geosphere
associated with solid
portions of the Earth. It
includes the continental and
oceanic crust and all other
layers of the Earth's interior
Cryosphere
components of the Earth
system that contain a
substantial fraction of water in
the frozen state

now and ice reflect heat from

the sun, helping to regulate
our planet’s temperature