Are global warming and greenhouse effect the same thing?

Though related, and oftentimes confused with each other, global warming and the greenhouse effect are not the same thing. Global warming refers to a change in the Earth's climate that is causing it to heat up. The greenhouse effect, on the other hand, is a natural process that happens constantly, due to sunlight and the atmosphere. read more

Global warming is happening due to the greenhouse effect combined with increased greenhouse gas emissions by human activities. The greenhouse effect is the process during which radiation from the sun is trapped within the earth's atmosphere, which warms the planet. read more

Global warming refers only to the Earth’s rising surface temperature, while climate change includes warming and the “side effects” of warming—like melting glaciers, heavier rainstorms, or more frequent drought. Said another way, global warming is one symptom of the much larger problem of human-caused climate change. read more