The earth intercepts the radiation from the sun, and it is this energy that derives our weather

and climate. Of this energy, one third of it is reflected back into space and the rest is absorbed by different parts of the climate system, such as the atmosphere, oceans, ice, land, and various forms of life. The earth then sends its energy out into space, or re-radiates, in the form of long waves of radiation. Some of the energy is again absorbed and remitted through a process known as the Greenhouse effect, and the rest is lost to space.
The earth must maintain balance between the outgoing radiation and the incoming solar energy always. If there is any change in the factors that affect this process of incoming and outgoing energy, or change the energy distribution itself the earth s climate will change and effect many aspects of the environment. There are different factors, both natural and human, that threaten this fragile balance.

Changes in Solar Output: the amount of energy radiating from the earth s sun is not constant. Changes in the Earths Orbit: Slow variations in the !arth s orbit around the sun change where and when energy is received on earth. This affects the amount of energy that is reflected and absorbed. The Greenhouse Effect: "hen energy from the sun enters the !arth s atmosphere, about a third of it is reflected back to space. Of the rest, the atmosphere absorbs some, but most of it is absorbed by the surfaces of the earth. The !arth emits energy at longer wavelength. Some of this energy escapes to space but some is absorbed again and remitted by clouds and the greenhouse gases such as water vapor, carbon dio#ides, methane and nitrous o#ide. This helps to warm the surface and the troposphere $lowest layer of the atmosphere%, keeping it &&' warmer than it would be otherwise be.

Aerosols: these are fine particles and droplets that are small enough to remain suspended in the atmosphere for considerable periods of time. They both reflect and absorb incoming solar radiation. 'hanging the type and (uantity of aerosols in the atmosphere affects the amount of solar energy reflected or absorbed.

Enhancing the Greenhouse Effect: naturally occurring greenhouse gases, as described above, keep the !arth warm enough to support life. )owever, scientific studies have shown that a variety of human activities release greenhouse gases. These include the burning of fossil fuels for producing electrical energy, heating and

transportation. *y increasing their concentrations and by adding new greenhouse gases like '+'s, humankind is capable of raising the average global temperature.
Land Use Change: ,s humans replace forests with agricultural lands, or natural vegetation with asphalt or concrete, they substantially alter the way the !arth s surface reflects sunlight and releases heat. ,ll these changes also affect regional evaporation, runoff and rainfall patterns. -and use and the changes in the way it is used effect the global carbon cycle, reduce the world s forests and woodlands, e#pand the cropped land area, and cause tropical deforestation. ,s well, there is increased productivity of labor in e#ploiting land through the application of capital and new technologies. 'onversion of land from natural to agricultural use also upsets the balance.

Atmospheric aerosols: )umans are adding large (uantities of fine particles $aerosols% to the atmosphere, both from agriculture and industrial activities. ,lthough most of these aerosols are soon removed by gravity and rainfall, they still affect the radiation balance in the atmosphere. "hether this effect adds to or offsets any warming trend depends on the (uantity and nature of the particles as well as the nature of the land or ocean surface below. The regional effects, however, can be significant.

Burning of ossil uels for Energ!: ,s humanity burns the organic matter from past geologic periods $or the forests of today% to power the engines and economies of modern society, we are rein.ecting our fossil carbon legacy into the atmosphere at incredibly accelerated rate. 'arbon dio#ide is dumped into the atmosphere at a much faster rate than it can be withdrawn or absorbed by the oceans or living things in the biosphere. The carbon dio#ide buildup is a principal controlling factor of the climate change.