Abstract: As the most important energy source of the earth surface system, the sun influences the earth environment intensively. The records of climatic change contain much information about the change of solar radiation and solar activities, but the actual observation of solar radiation change is not considered enough to cause the earth’s severe climate change directly. Many physical models were developed to explain the mechanism about how the sun drives the earth’s environment change. These physical models have good applicability in explaining some climate phenomena; however, there are still some limitations in other aspects. Starting with the geologic records, this article reviewed the geologicalbiological records of effects of the solar variation on the climate change on the different time scale and made comments on some [JP2]amplification mechanisms. Meanwhile, we consider that the solar variation is the most important factor of the earth’s environment change; the earth’s [JP]environment changes may response the solar changes directly. Either radiation changes caused by solar activities are underestimated, or there are undiscovered mechanisms. Future research should address these two issues.

Key words: solar activity, solar radiation, climate system, amplification mechanism