At the beginning of the industrial revolution in 1850, the CO2concentration was 280 ppm. Today, it is 410 ppm.

1. How much extra radiative forcing is the Earth's surface receiving today, relative to 1850?

2. What is the equivalent temperature change? ΔF (Wm^ (-2)) = α ln (C/C0), ΔT (K) = λ*ΔF, α = 5.35, λ = 0.8 per (Wm^ (-2)).

1. 2.04 W/m²

2. 1.63°C

Explanation:

The radiative force that the Earth receives comes from the Sun. When the Sun rays come to the surface, some of them are absorbed and then it is reflected in the space. The greenhouse gases (like CO2) blocks some of these rays, and then the surface stays warm. The excessive amount of these gases makes the surface warmer, which unbalance the climate on Earth.

1. The variation of the radiative forcing can be calculated based on the concentration of the CO2 by the equation:

ΔF = 5.35*ln (C/C0)

Where C is the final concentration, and C0 is the initial concentration.

ΔF = 5.35*ln (410/280)

ΔF = 2.04 W/m²

2. The temperature change in the Earth's surface caused by the variation of the radiative forcing can be calculated by:

ΔT = 0.8*ΔF

ΔT = 0.8*2.04

ΔT = 1.63 K = 1.63°C