What is the long-term warming trend caused by increasing heat-trapping gases called?

Global warming is the long-term rise in Earth’s average surface temperature caused mainly by increasing greenhouse gases.

Human activities, especially burning coal, oil, and natural gas, have increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide. Deforestation and some agricultural and industrial activities also contribute. These gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, reducing the rate at which Earth loses heat to space.

Global warming is one part of broader climate change. Climate change also includes shifts in rainfall, sea level, ocean heat, ice, and the frequency or intensity of some extremes. Natural factors such as volcanic eruptions and solar variation affect climate, but they do not explain the recent long-term warming pattern.

The global average does not rise evenly every year or in every location. Oceans absorb much of the added heat, and natural variability can temporarily speed up or slow down the surface temperature trend.