An average increase in the Earth’s temperature, which in turn causes changes in climate. A warmer Earth may lead to changes in rainfall patterns and a rise in sea level and may have a wide range of effects on humans, wildlife, and plants.
The effect of increasing levels of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, on the temperature of the earth, causing it to rise. Global warming can adversely affect many biological systems, including that of human health (e.g., by allowing tropical disease vectors to spread to temperate climates).