Climate Sensitivity Calculator
Estimate equilibrium temperature change from a given radiative forcing using the climate sensitivity parameter.
W/m²
°C per W/m²
Equilibrium Temperature Change
2.96 °C
Temperature Change (Fahrenheit)5.33 °F
Equilibrium Temperature Change vs Radiative Forcing
Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity
Climate sensitivity tells us how much the global average temperature will eventually rise for a given radiative forcing.
Formula
Delta T = Delta F x lambda
Where Delta F is radiative forcing (W/m²) and lambda is the climate sensitivity parameter (°C per W/m²). The IPCC best estimate for doubling CO2 (3.7 W/m²) is about 3°C, giving lambda around 0.8.
Example Calculation
A doubling of CO2 produces 3.7 W/m² of forcing with a sensitivity of 0.8 °C per W/m².
- 01Temperature change = 3.7 x 0.8 = 2.96 °C
- 02In Fahrenheit: 2.96 x 1.8 = 5.33 °F