Climate Change and Global Warming: Understanding the Difference

Environmental issues such as Climate Change and Global Warming are constantly being brought up by different politicians as well as awareness groups. The issue on the drastic effects of greenhouse gases have also raised the awareness of the youth, and they have learned to fight for the future of our planet. The most popular of which is Greta Thunberg. Greta’s famous interview lines: “How dare you! People are suffering! People are dying! Entire ecosystems are collapsing!”, has spread awareness regarding the climate crisis.

However, there are still people who are not aware of the catastrophic effects of greenhouse gases. With this, awareness on what is the difference between climate change and global warming is essential in order to create a society that will accept the fight for sustainability.

NASA has recorded a global temperature rise since the year 1880. This means that even until now, the temperature of the planet is continuously rising. In total, the world has increased by about a Celsius already. This is what global warming is.

On the other hand, climate change is the range of alterations that are happening in the planet Earth. These are basically what is happening because of global warming or the rising temperature of the earth. To put it simply, these are the changes or effects brought by global warming. Examples of these changes are the rising sea levels, the melting of ice and shrinking of glaciers.

These two terms, though similar and related, are very different. However, it is important to understand the difference between the two and to internalize their definition. People must understand that the definition of these two terms are already a reality, and the entire Earth is currently facing the challenge of fixing the impacts of the actions of the people. Furthermore, understanding the definitions of these terms are one thing but taking action is on a whole new different level. We dare you to take on the challenge.

-