The textbook contains information about the features of the modern climate, the Genesis of its formation, the mechanisms of change. The properties of the climate system, its energy, properties of water vapor and carbon dioxide — the most important substances for the greenhouse effect-are described. The past and future of the climate are summarized. The geography of climates is considered from the standpoint of explaining the mechanisms of formation of regional climatic features. Meets the Federal state educational standards of higher education of the last generation. For students of higher educational institutions studying in the areas of training 05.03.02 "Geography" and 05.03.04 "Hydrometeorology".