Natural and anthropogenic substances and processes that alter the earth's energy budget are drivers of climate change.
Radiative forcing quantifies the change in energy fluxs caused by changes in these drivers for 2011 relative to 1750, unless otherwise indicated
Positive RF leads to surface warming. Negative RF leads to surface cooling.
RF is estimated based on in-situ and remote observations, properties of greenhouse gases and aerosols, and calculation using numerical models representing observed processes.
Some emitted compounds affect the atmospheric concentration of other substances.