What term describes the global, long-term rise in Earth's average temperature due to greenhouse gases?

What term describes the global, long-term rise in Earth's average temperature due to greenhouse gases?

• A. Global warming
• B. Global cooling
• C. Ozone depletion
• D. Weather

Answer: (A)

Global warming is the long-term rise in Earth's average temperature caused by greenhouse gases trapping heat in the atmosphere. This describes a trend observed over decades to centuries, not the day-to-day variability of weather. The other terms point to different ideas: global cooling would be a decrease in average temperature; ozone depletion relates to thinning of the ozone layer and UV radiation rather than a sustained temperature rise; weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions. Human activities increase greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, strengthening the natural greenhouse effect and warming surface temperatures. In the broader sense of climate change, global warming is the main trend driving many related changes, such as melting ice and sea‑level rise.

Global warming is the long-term rise in Earth's average temperature caused by greenhouse gases trapping heat in the atmosphere. This describes a trend observed over decades to centuries, not the day-to-day variability of weather. The other terms point to different ideas: global cooling would be a decrease in average temperature; ozone depletion relates to thinning of the ozone layer and UV radiation rather than a sustained temperature rise; weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions. Human activities increase greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, strengthening the natural greenhouse effect and warming surface temperatures. In the broader sense of climate change, global warming is the main trend driving many related changes, such as melting ice and sea‑level rise.