"Weather and climate have a profound influence on life on Earth. They are part of the daily experience of human beings and are essential for health, food production and well-being. A region's climate is generated by the climate system, which has five components: atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. The climate of a location is affected by its latitude, terrain, and altitude, as well as nearby water bodies and their currents. The atmosphere is the most unstable and rapidly changing part of the system. Its composition, which has changed with the evolution of the Earth, is of central importance. The Earths climate is influenced by many factors, including solar radiation, wind, and ocean currents. Climate is determined by the atmospheric circulation and by its interactions with the large- scale ocean currents and the land with its features such as albedo, vegetation and soil moisture. The climate of the Earth as a whole depends on factors that influence the radiative balance, such as for example, the atmospheric composition, solar radiation or volcanic eruptions. To understand the climate of our planet Earth and its variations and to understand and possibly predict the changes of the climate brought about by human activities, one cannot ignore any of these many factors and components that determine the climate. We must understand the climate system, the complicated system consisting of various components, including the dynamics and composition of the atmosphere, the ocean, the ice and snow cover, the land surface and its features, the many mutual interactions between them, and the large variety of physical, chemical and biological processes taking place in and among these components. Researchers try to integrate all of these influencing variables into their models. This volume Climate Systems focuses on the scientific framework of Earth's climate system, including the greenhouse effect and global warming. It provides a thorough grounding in climate dynamics and the issues involved in predicting climate change. This book provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of the subject for researchers and advanced students in a wide range of disciplines."
