What term describes the increase in the global average temperature of the Earth's surface?

The term that describes the increase in the global average temperature of the Earth's surface is "global warming." This phenomenon specifically refers to the rise in the Earth's average temperature due to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, largely as a result of human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

Global warming is a crucial aspect of climate change, but it is distinct in that it focuses solely on the temperature aspect. Understanding this distinction helps clarify how global warming contributes to broader climate changes, including shifts in weather patterns, sea-level rise, and alterations in ecosystems.

In contrast, the other terms do not precisely describe the rise in temperature. Climate change encompasses a wide range of changes in weather patterns and occurrences, including global warming but also variations in precipitation and extreme weather events. The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth but does not solely refer to the recent increases in temperature due to anthropogenic factors. Ozone depletion relates to the thinning of the ozone layer in the atmosphere and is not directly connected to global temperature increases.