Short answer
Global warming names the long-term increase in Earth’s average surface temperature. Climate change includes that warming and wider persistent shifts, such as altered rainfall, sea level and extremes. The terms often appear together but do not cover exactly the same set of observations. 1 2
Global warming is the temperature component and a major driver of the broader pattern called climate change.
On this page
At a glance
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| Question | Global warming | Climate change |
|---|---|---|
| Core measure | Global average temperature | Many long-term climate variables |
| Scope | One major trend | Broader system of changes |
| Example | Rising global temperature | Changing rainfall patterns |
The table summarizes the cited definitions and the article’s stated scope. 1 2
What each thing is
Global warming. The long-term rise in Earth’s average surface temperature. 1
Climate change. Long-term shifts in climate patterns, including temperature, precipitation, extremes and related Earth-system changes. 1
Key differences
Climate is evaluated over long periods, so a cold day cannot settle either question. Warming affects other parts of the Earth system and helps produce broader climate changes, but local outcomes differ by region. 1 2
How to tell them apart
If a claim is specifically about global mean temperature, “global warming” is precise. If it concerns rainfall, seasonal patterns, sea level or ecosystems over decades, “climate change” is broader. 1 2
Where they overlap
Warming is part of current climate change and often appears as a cause behind other shifts. Both require long-term observations and careful comparisons. 1 2
Edge cases
The phrase climate change can also describe past natural changes; in current public discussion it commonly refers to ongoing human-influenced change. Not every region warms at the same rate. 1 2
Why the distinction exists
Scientists use distinct terms for a measured global temperature trend and its wider environmental consequences. 1 2
Common misconceptions
A snowstorm does not disprove a long-term global temperature trend, and warming does not mean every place is hotter every day. 1 2
Examples
A global temperature anomaly series tracks warming. A decades-long shift in local rainfall belongs to the broader climate-change picture. 1 2
Sources
Sources checked October 3, 2026.
- NOAA Climate.gov — Global Warming Frequently Asked Questions. Long-term trends and variability.
- NOAA NCEI — Weather Versus Climate. Weather definition.