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Radiative Forcing from CO₂

Extra energy trapped by the atmosphere as carbon-dioxide concentration rises.

Formula

\Delta F = 5.35\,\ln\!\left(\frac{C}{C_0}\right)

Variables

ΔFRadiative forcing (W/m²)

CCO₂ concentration (ppm)

C₀Pre-industrial CO₂ (~278 ppm)

Example

Doubling CO₂: ΔF = 5.35·ln2 ≈ 3.7 W/m²

Did You Know?

This logarithmic law means each doubling of CO₂ adds roughly the same amount of warming.

climate global-warming co2 greenhouse

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