Final answer:
Radiative forcing is measured in watts per square meter (W/m²) and represents the rate of energy change in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
Step-by-step explanation:
Radiative forcing (RF) is a measure used to describe the rate of energy change per unit area of the globe as measured at the top of the atmosphere. It is quantified in units of power per unit area, specifically in watts per square meter (W/m²). This term helps us to understand how various factors, such as increases in greenhouse gases like CO₂, can influence the Earth's climate by altering the balance of solar energy absorbed and infrared radiation emitted to space. When radiative forcing is balanced, the net radiative forcing is zero, meaning that the absorbed solar energy is equal to the infrared radiation to space. However, any time there is an imbalance, like the current additional 2.2 W/m² of radiative forcing due to fossil fuels, it translates to an increase in Earth's average temperature, highlighting the importance of radiative forcing in the study of climate change.