The Earths' atmosphere is such a system. The chief energy storing atmospheric components are clouds, atmospheric gases and atmospheric impurities. Human activity affects the balance of the atmospheric energy system.

On a global scale, the energy contained within the atmosphere is constant, or balanced. As much energy enters the system as leaves it. However, changes to the energy storing components may result in altering the long term energy balance of the atmosphere. Here are a list of the major inputs, outputs and exchange mechanisms in the Earth's atmopshere:

Inputs

• the Sun's radiation. This is the atmosphere's main energy input and is often called absorbption.
• the Earth's internal heat (conduction)
• There is also a small heating effect from the Sun and Moon's gravitational fields.

Outputs

• Radiation (emission) from the Earth's surface
• Radiation reflected from surfaces of clouds
• Radiation (emission) from gases in the atmosphere

Exchanges

• Atmospheric air convection.
• Latent heat associated with Changes in State (water vapour).
• Conduction of heat by air near the ground or sea (and subsequent convection).
• Radiation from clouds to the air and vice versa

The yellow area on the left is the energy defecit at the poles. Here, more energy is emitted than is absorbed. This is due to the reflection of radiation from high albedo (eg white snow) surfaces coupled with the glancing angle at which the radiation encounters the surfaces.
The yellow area on the right is the energy surplus at the equator. Here, more heat is absorbed than is emitted due to the large amount of cloud acting as an insulator. As there is no overall temperature change there must be a overall transfer of energy between low and high altitudes. This occurs by convection, or the movement of air (wind) due to pressure systems.