Earth's Energy Balance

Abstract

The distribution of solar radiation absorbed on Earth is very uneven and largely determined by the geometry of the sun–earth orbit and its variations. This incoming radiant energy is transformed into various forms (internal heat, potential energy, latent energy, and kinetic energy) moved around in various ways primarily by the atmosphere and oceans; stored and sequestered in the ocean, land, and ice components of the climate system; and ultimately radiated back to space as infrared radiation. The requirement for an equilibrium climate mandates a balance between the incoming and outgoing radiation and further mandates that the flows of energy are systematic. These drive the weather systems in the atmosphere and the currents in the ocean, and they fundamentally determine the climate. They can be perturbed, causing climate change. This article examines the processes involved and follows the flows, storage, and release of energy.