global warming
Planetary temperature rise
Global warming is the gradual increase in Earth's average temperature, primarily attributed to human activities that release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere.
The term often appears in debates about climate policy and environmental regulation: Scientists warned that global warming would accelerate sea level rise.
Though sometimes used interchangeably with climate change, global warming specifically refers to rising temperatures rather than the broader range of effects.
Combustible prehistoric organic deposits
- coalCombustible sedimentary rock
- petroleumNatural underground hydrocarbon liquid
- natural gasSubterranean hydrocarbon fuel
- carbon emissionsReleased greenhouse gases
CO2 · deforestation · industrial pollution · power plants · transportation · agriculture · livestock · carbon footprint
Extended periods of excessive warmth
- droughtProlonged water scarcity
- wildfiresUncontrolled outdoor blazes
- floodingOverwhelming water accumulation
- extreme weatherUnusual, dangerous atmospheric events
species extinction · coral bleaching · permafrost thaw · crop failure · water scarcity · climate refugees · disease spread · ecosystem collapse
Atmospheric heat retention mechanism
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
- temperature riseIncrease in heat level
anthropogenic · climate models · IPCC · Kyoto Protocol · Paris Agreement · feedback loops · tipping points · carbon cycle
Frozen masses covering poles
- sea level riseIncreasing ocean surface height
- Greenland ice sheetSecond-largest frozen freshwater body
- polar bearsWhite Arctic marine mammals
- permafrostPerpetually frozen earth layer
coastal flooding · island nations · thermal expansion · tundra
Self-replenishing natural power
- solar powerEnergy derived from sunlight
- wind energyElectricity from airflow
- carbon captureCollecting and storing emissions
- reforestationReplanting depleted woodlands
energy efficiency · electric vehicles · carbon tax · green technology · sustainable development · climate adaptation · mitigation · geoengineering
fossil fuels
Combustible prehistoric organic deposits
- coalCombustible sedimentary rock
- petroleumNatural underground hydrocarbon liquid
- natural gasSubterranean hydrocarbon fuel
carbon emissions · CO2 · deforestation · industrial pollution · power plants · transportation · agriculture · livestock · carbon footprint · emission targets
heatwaves
Extended periods of excessive warmth
- droughtProlonged water scarcity
- wildfiresUncontrolled outdoor blazes
- floodingOverwhelming water accumulation
extreme weather · species extinction · coral bleaching · permafrost thaw · crop failure · water scarcity · climate refugees · disease spread · ecosystem collapse · desertification
greenhouse effect
Atmospheric heat retention mechanism
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
temperature rise · anthropogenic · climate models · IPCC · Kyoto Protocol · Paris Agreement · feedback loops · tipping points · carbon cycle · climate denial
ice caps
Frozen masses covering poles
- sea level riseIncreasing ocean surface height
- Greenland ice sheetSecond-largest frozen freshwater body
- polar bearsWhite Arctic marine mammals
permafrost · coastal flooding · island nations · thermal expansion · tundra
renewable energy
Self-replenishing natural power
- solar powerEnergy derived from sunlight
- wind energyElectricity from airflow
- carbon captureCollecting and storing emissions
reforestation · energy efficiency · electric vehicles · carbon tax · green technology · sustainable development · climate adaptation · mitigation · geoengineering · carbon offset
- climateclimate change, climate, weather, temperature, greenhouse effect
- Climate Changegreenhouse gases, climate change, carbon dioxide, CO2, carbon emissions
- environmental harmair pollution, water pollution, pollution, oil spills, acid rain
- environmental issuesair pollution, climate change, biodiversity loss, habitat loss, deforestation
- Environmental problemsair pollution, water pollution, climate change, habitat loss, deforestation
- environmental scienceecology, air quality, ecosystem, water quality, ecosystems
global warmingglobal cooling
Theorized planetary temperature decrease
ice age · glaciation · glacial period · cooling trend · nuclear winter
globe, global, warming, globalization, globally, globular, globule, globalize, globalized