Terminology: global warming vs climate change

Summary

Global warming and climate change are related but not identical terms. Scientifically, global warming refers specifically to the ongoing increase in Earth’s global average surface temperature. Climate change is broader: it includes global warming and the wider effects on Earth’s climate system, such as changes in precipitation patterns and other aspects of weather and climate. In everyday and policy contexts, the terms have sometimes been used interchangeably, especially since the 1980s. The content also notes that climate change can be used more broadly to include long-term climate shifts throughout Earth’s history caused by natural processes. When the cause is emphasized, the term anthropogenic climate change is used for climate change resulting from human activities. Other related phrases (e.g., climate crisis/emergency or global heating) may be used by scientists, politicians, or media to describe the same underlying issue.

Key Points

• 1

  Global warming is the increase in global average surface temperature; climate change includes global warming plus broader effects on the climate system.

• 2

  Before the 1980s, terminology was less standardized; in the 1980s, “global warming” and “climate change” became more common and were often used interchangeably.

• 3

  Scientifically, climate change can also refer more broadly to long-term climate changes from natural processes, while “anthropogenic climate change” specifies human causes.