radiative forcing, definition of

A change in the balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing infrared radiation. Without any radiative forcing, solar radiation coming to the Earth would continue to be approximately equal to the infrared radiation emitted from the Earth. The addition of greenhouse gases traps an increased fraction of the infrared radiation, radiating it back toward the surface and creating a warming influence.

• New Study Claims the CO2 Increase Since 1850 Can Account for Only Half of Modern Global Warming
  The cause of global warming is still under debate.” – Choi and Manousiouthakis, 2022
• Radiative energy flux variations from 2000 – 2020
  The time span of 20 years is still too short to be able to decide conclusively whether the current heating phase is a temporary or permanent development. In the former case, climate forecasts will have to be fundamentally revised. The physical mechanism...
• A pertinent climate question
  How much of a change in cloudiness would it take to account for the 0.53 W/m2 increase in TOA radiative forcing since 2003?
• Radiative Forcing, Radiative Feedbacks and Radiative Imbalance – The 2013 WG1 IPCC Report Failed to Properly Report on this Issue
  Guest essay by Roger A. Pielke Sr. Main Points 1. The difference in ocean heat content at two different time periods provides the global average radiative imbalance over that time [within the uncertainty of the ocean heat measurements] 2. This …...
• FROM SCIENCE…TO ART…TO HYPOTHETICALS
  The new RCPs are not projections, probabilities, prophecies or pathways – they might possibly be potentialities. Guest essay by Barry Brill The IPCC begins with science: “In sum, a strategy must recognise what is possible. In climate research and...
• Updated climate sensitivity estimates using aerosol-adjusted forcings and various ocean heat uptake estimates
  Guest essay by Nic Lewis The Otto et al. paper has received a great deal of attention in recent days. While the paper’s estimate of transient climate response was low, the equilibrium/effective climate sensitivity figure was actually slightly higher...
• Volcanoes: Active, Inactive, and Retroactive
  Guest Post by Willis Eschenbach Anthony put up a post titled “Why the new Otto et al climate sensitivity paper is important – it’s a sea change for some IPCC authors” The paper in question is “Energy budget constraints on …...
• The effectiveness of CO2 as a greenhouse gas becomes ever more marginal with greater concentration
  The political target of limiting the effect of Man-made global warming to only +2⁰C can never be attained. Guest essay by Ed Hoskins According to well understood physical parameters, the effectiveness of CO2 as a greenhouse gas diminishes logarithmically...
• Dispelling myths about global warming
  CO2 did not drive the rapid warming of the 20th century. Story submitted by Stan Robertson The difference between a good idea and a bad idea is often a quantitative matter. For example, many people would think it a good … Continue reading →
• Yet another study shows lower climate sensitivity
  Global warming less extreme than feared? Policymakers are attempting to contain global warming at less than 2°C. New estimates from a Norwegian project on climate calculations indicate this target may be more attainable than many experts have feared....