Natural and anthropogenic causes of climate changes

Abstract

The paper gives a short review of the basic physical mechanisms responsible for climate changes with particular attention paid to the structure of the Atmosphere–the Rest of the Earth dynamical system and its chaotic nature. The essence of "greenhouse effect" is explained and input of various natural and anthropogenic factors into it is presented. Problems, difficulties and uncertainties connected with reconstruction of past climates and and forcasting the future are discussed. Particular role of mathematical modelling in understanding and predicting the evolution of climate is emphasized.