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Climate - Climate change in the Caribbean

Climate system

Climate system consists not only of atmosphere and its constituents, but also oceans, land surface, biosphere on land and in oceans, cryosphere (sea-ice, glaciers and snow), actually all the natural spheres. Solar radiation brings energy to the climate system  and causes a constant flux of heat, momentum, water, carbon, and other matter within and between the different components of the system (see the figure). 

While solar radiation (shortwave) brings energy to the system, longwave terrestrial radiation emits energy to space. 'Greenhouse gases' in the atmosphere block infrared radiation from escaping directly from the surface to space. The main, naturally occurring greenhouse gases are water vapour (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), ozone, methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O).  Together, they make up less than 1% of the atmosphere. This is enough to produce a 'natural greenhouse effect' that keeps the planet some 30°C warmer than it would otherwise be - essential for life as we know it.

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