Climate forcing-response energy balance ($N=F-\lambda \Delta T$)

With positive-downward net top-of-atmosphere flux N, imposed forcing F and positive stabilizing coefficient lambda, a simple global model has $N=F-\lambda \Delta T=Cd\Delta T/dt$. A positive imbalance means energy storage, not an independent measurement of F. Ocean uptake and multiple response times complicate the one-capacity approximation. Feedback sign conventions differ between references; writing the full equation prevents confusion. ^[ref]