What is "radiative forcing"

n. The effect of greenhouse gases on the radiation of heat in the atmosphere

Radiative forcing or climate forcing is defined as the difference of insolation ( sunlight) absorbed by the Earth and energy radiated back to space. Typically, radiative forcing is quantified at the tropopause in units of watts per square meter of the Earth's surface. A positive forcing (more incoming energy) warms the system, while negative forcing (more outgoing energy) cools it. Causes of radiative forcing include changes in insolation and the concentrations of radiatively active gases, commonly known as greenhouse gases and aerosols.