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How are global warming and climate change related?

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World map with continents shaded in colors representing climate zones, from warm reds and yellows near the equator to cool blues and whites at the poles. — Climate Even in our warming world, there will be some chilly evenings.

While the terms global warming and climate change are often used interchangeably, they represent distinct but related concepts in meteorology.12

Global warming refers specifically to the long-term increase in Earth’s average surface temperature, primarily driven by rising concentrations of greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.12

Climate change is a broader term encompassing global warming while referring to a wider range of long-term shifts in the planet's climate and weather patterns. These include:23
* Rising sea levels2
* Shrinking glaciers and ice caps12
* Changes in seasonal temperature and rainfall patterns1

The relationship is causal: global warming is a primary driver of the broader, tangible disruptions categorized as climate change. While climate can shift due to natural factors like volcanic activity or orbital variations, the current, rapid changes are largely attributed to human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels.124