ANTHROPOGENIC FORCING: HUMAN DRIVEN IMPACTS ON EARTH’S CLIMATE SYSTEM

Anthropogenic forcing refers to human‑induced changes to Earth’s energy balance, most notably through increased concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs), aerosols, land‑use changes, and other emissions that alter incoming and outgoing radiation. These forcings perturb the climate system, driving modern climate change beyond natural variability. This article summarizes fundamental mechanisms of anthropogenic forcing, its major drivers, and implications for climate change, supported by observational and modeling evidence. An understanding of anthropogenic forcing is vital for climate prediction, mitigation strategies, and policy development.