Which best describes the relationship between climate change and global warming

1 answer

Climate change is the long-term shift in average weather patterns, including temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other factors. Global warming refers specifically to the increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

In other words, global warming is one aspect of climate change. It is a direct result of human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun and cause the Earth's temperature to rise, resulting in global warming.

Climate change, on the other hand, encompasses a broader range of effects and changes to the Earth's climate system. It includes not only the increase in temperature but also changes in precipitation patterns, sea levels, extreme weather events, and the overall balance of the Earth's ecosystems.

Therefore, while global warming is a significant component of climate change, they are not synonymous terms.