What phenomenon does global warming refer to?

Global warming specifically refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This phenomenon is closely associated with climate change and has significant implications for weather patterns, sea levels, and ecosystems. It is distinguished from other environmental issues such as biodiversity loss, pollution reduction, or improvements in weather, which, while important, are not the defining characteristic of global warming. Understanding this distinction is crucial, as global warming is fundamentally about temperature increases and the resulting impacts on the planet's climate system.