The terrestrial climate has suffered multiple climatic variations throughout its history. Which fluctuate between exits and entrances of periods of glaciations. The lack of consistency within the terrestrial climate is due to the following factors: biological processes (presence of biomass, respiration, photosynthesis …), geological processes (plate tectonics and volcanic eruptions), astronomical factor (Milankovitch cycles) and solar factors ( sunspots and variation of the intensity of the Sun). The Earth's climate changes they are very frequent on a geological scale (millions of years), it has been studied that there have been four great glaciations. Currently, we are coming out of an ice age, which implies that the temperature of the Earth is gradually increasing. Because of this, climate change deniers consider that human beings do not affect the climate at all. They wash their hands of the fact that since the industrial revolution, and more pronounced in recent decades, the earth's average temperature is increasing at an abnormal speed and excessively fast. So these scientists, politicians, businessmen and citizens deny global warming, no, sorry, it was climate change, don't wait, it was global warming that they denied … The truth is that these terms are often used so interchangeably by means of communication that generate great confusion. Don't you think
Join us in this Green Ecologist article to better understand what is the difference between climate change and global warming; in addition to how global warming and climate change affect the environment and living beings.
What is climate change
Climate change is the modification that occurs in the meteorological patterns of the global climate. As mentioned, climate changes have been very frequent throughout the existence of the Earth. However, currently, due to the style of consumption and production of the human being, it is accelerating by the increased greenhouse effect.
The greenhouse effect is a natural method of regulating the earth's temperature. Thanks to it, a certain amount of heat is retained in the earth, allowing the presence of water in a liquid state and, therefore, the existence of living beings. However, the temperature it retains is increasing due to the increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with human activity.
These activities are the causes of climate change, well, more like its acceleration; these are:
- Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas).
- Deforestation.
- Fires produced by human activities.
- Large-scale livestock.
- Use of nitrogen fertilizers.
- Consumption of fluorinated gases.
We advise you to expand these notions with these other articles by Green Ecologist about the Differences between the greenhouse effect and climate change and the causes and consequences of climate change.
What is global warming
Global warming corresponds to the increase in global mean temperature on earth by natural causes. As an ice age is emerging, the global mean temperature is slowly increasing. However, for the reasons already mentioned, it is increasing at an uncontrolled speed if we do not soon change our way of acting locally and globally. The causes of global warming accelerated are the same anthropological causes as those of climate change.
Here you can learn more about Global Warming: definition, causes and consequences.
What is the difference between climate change and global warming
Now let's analyze both terms. The climate change refers to the modification of the meteorological patterns of the global climate, while the global warming it only contemplates the increase in global average temperature on Earth.
The following question is also very common: what is the difference between global warming and climate variability? The climate variability it corresponds to the climatic fluctuations in small periods of time, around 10 years. It may be that for certain reasons there is a period of time in which it is warmer and that has nothing to do with global warming or climate change. Global warming corresponds to long periods of time and climate variability to shorter periods.
To learn even more about these concepts and their effect on the planet, we encourage you to read these other articles about How climate change affects us and How global warming affects living beings.
Relationship between climate change and global warming
The relationship between both processes is that due to the increase in global warming, due to the anthropological effect, that is, because of how we carry out our usual activities and because of the type of activities that many of them are, we are accelerating climate change at a speed that the earth cannot self-regulate. Changes in the planet's meteorology will generate the following consequences:
- Fusion of polar ice and retreat of high mountain glaciers.
- Decrease in albedo due to melting of ice, raising the temperature.
- Sea level rise and associated damage due to flooding of coastal areas.
- Changes in marine currents due to the reduction in the volume of salt.
- Thawing of permafrost and associated damage.
- Regional climate variability.
- Alteration in the water cycle and reduction of its quality.
- Famines related to crop problems.
- Increase in tropical diseases.
- Modification of ecosystems.
- Loss of biodiversity.
- Increase in fires.
- Uncontrolled flooding due to rains.
- Damage to infrastructures.
- Economic impact.
- Migrations and wars.
As it is a global problem, it is necessary to face it globally, with the consensus of all countries. If developing countries continue with our current model of uncontrolled production, GHGs will skyrocket even further. We have to take responsibility and cooperate with other countries and help them improve their quality of life in a more sustainable way, in addition to modifying ours. Generally, we live beyond our means, so we must deconstruct ourselves globally to rebuild ourselves in a sustainable way.
If you want to read more articles similar to Difference between climate change and global warmingWe recommend that you enter our Climate Change category.
