quánqiú biànnuǎn: 全球变暖 - Global Warming

• Keywords: quanqiu biannuan, quánqiú biànnuǎn, 全球变暖, global warming in Chinese, climate change China, Chinese environmental terms, learn Chinese science vocabulary
• Summary: 全球变暖 (quánqiú biànnuǎn) is the direct Chinese term for “global warming.” This comprehensive guide breaks down its meaning, character by character, and explores its critical role in modern Chinese discourse. Learn how to use this essential term in contexts ranging from news reports and scientific discussions to casual conversations about the weather, and understand its connection to broader concepts like climate change (气候变化) and China's push for “ecological civilization.”

• Pinyin (with tone marks): quánqiú biànnuǎn
• Part of Speech: Noun Phrase
• HSK Level: N/A (Advanced/Topical)
• Concise Definition: The long-term heating of the Earth's climate system due to human activities.
• In a Nutshell: 全球变暖 is a literal and direct translation of “global warming.” It combines “global” (全球) with “to become warm” (变暖). It's a standard, neutral term used in science, media, government, and everyday conversation to describe the phenomenon of the planet's rising average temperature.

• 全 (quán): Whole, entire, all. This character signifies completeness.
• 球 (qiú): Ball, sphere, or globe. It's the same character used in 地球 (dìqiú), the word for “Earth.”
• 变 (biàn): To change, to become. This character indicates a transformation or process of change.
• 暖 (nuǎn): Warm. The radical on the left is 日 (rì), meaning “sun,” which provides the warmth.

Together, 全球 (quánqiú) means “the whole globe” or “global.” 变暖 (biànnuǎn) means “to become warm.” The combination 全球变暖 is perfectly logical: “the whole globe is becoming warm.”

While 全球变暖 is a scientific term, the topic it represents has significant cultural and political weight in modern China. Initially, during its period of rapid industrialization, environmental concerns were often secondary to economic growth. However, in the 21st century, this has dramatically shifted. The Chinese government and public now view the consequences of climate change, such as pollution, extreme weather, and resource scarcity, as major national challenges. The discussion around 全球变暖 in China is framed differently than in some Western countries.

• Contrast with the West: While in the U.S. the topic can be a highly polarized political issue, in China, the scientific consensus is fully accepted in official discourse. The debate is not *if* it's happening, but *how* to address it while maintaining economic stability and energy security.
• National Strategy: Tackling global warming is linked to the national goal of “ecological civilization” (生态文明, shēngtài wénmíng), a concept that seeks to harmonize human development with nature. It's also seen as an opportunity for China to become a global leader in green technology like solar panels and electric vehicles. For the average citizen, it's connected to tangible issues like air quality and public health.

The term is used across all levels of formality.

• Formal & Official Use: You will see 全球变暖 constantly in news reports (新闻), government policy documents (政府文件), and academic articles (学术论文). In these contexts, it is used as a precise, neutral scientific term.
• Informal & Conversational Use: In daily life, people use 全球变暖 to talk about environmental issues or, more commonly, to complain about unusual weather. Someone might say “今年夏天这么热，都是全球变暖闹的！” (“This summer is so hot, it's all because of global warming!”). While technically imprecise, this usage is very common.

Its connotation is inherently negative, as it describes a serious global problem.

• Example 1:
  • 科学家们警告说，全球变暖正在加速。
  • Pinyin: Kēxuéjiāmen jǐnggào shuō, quánqiú biànnuǎn zhèngzài jiāsù.
  • English: Scientists warn that global warming is accelerating.
  • Analysis: A typical, formal sentence you might read in a news article or scientific report.
• Example 2:
  • 我们必须采取行动来减缓全球变暖的影响。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū cǎiqǔ xíngdòng lái jiǎnhuǎn quánqiú biànnuǎn de yǐngxiǎng.
  • English: We must take action to mitigate the effects of global warming.
  • Analysis: This sentence expresses a sense of urgency and responsibility, common in policy discussions.
• Example 3:
  • 全球变暖导致了海平面上升和极端天气事件。
  • Pinyin: Quánqiú biànnuǎn dǎozhìle hǎi píngmiàn shàngshēng hé jíduān tiānqì shìjiàn.
  • English: Global warming has led to sea-level rise and extreme weather events.
  • Analysis: This sentence clearly links the cause (全球变暖) to its effects using the verb 导致 (dǎozhì), “to lead to” or “to cause.”
• Example 4:
  • 很多人认为减少碳排放是应对全球变暖的关键。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō rén rènwéi jiǎnshǎo tàn páifàng shì yìngduì quánqiú biànnuǎn de guānjiàn.
  • English: Many people believe that reducing carbon emissions is the key to tackling global warming.
  • Analysis: This sentence introduces the related concept of 碳排放 (tàn páifàng), “carbon emissions.”
• Example 5:
  • 这个夏天热得反常，你觉得是不是跟全球变暖有关系？
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàtiān rè de fǎncháng, nǐ juéde shì bu shì gēn quánqiú biànnuǎn yǒu guānxì?
  • English: This summer is abnormally hot, do you think it's related to global warming?
  • Analysis: A perfect example of informal, conversational use. The structure “是不是…有关系” (shì bu shì…yǒu guānxì) is a common way to ask “Is it related to…?”.
• Example 6:
  • 这部纪录片深入探讨了全球变暖的成因。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù jìlùpiàn shēnrù tàntǎole quánqiú biànnuǎn de chéngyīn.
  • English: This documentary deeply explores the causes of global warming.
  • Analysis: Shows the term used in the context of media and education. 成因 (chéngyīn) means “cause” or “origin.”
• Example 7:
  • 发展可再生能源有助于对抗全球变暖。
  • Pinyin: Fāzhǎn kě zàishēng néngyuán yǒu zhù yú duìkàng quánqiú biànnuǎn.
  • English: Developing renewable energy helps to combat global warming.
  • Analysis: This sentence focuses on solutions. 有助于 (yǒu zhù yú) means “is helpful for” or “contributes to.”
• Example 8:
  • 全球变暖对农业生产造成了严重的威胁。
  • Pinyin: Quánqiú biànnuǎn duì nóngyè shēngchǎn zàochéngle yánzhòng de wēixié.
  • English: Global warming poses a serious threat to agricultural production.
  • Analysis: The structure “对…造成了…威胁” (duì…zàochéngle…wēixié) means “to pose a threat to…”.
• Example 9:
  • 即使是小孩子也知道全球变暖是个大问题。
  • Pinyin: Jíshǐ shì xiǎo háizi yě zhīdào quánqiú biànnuǎn shì ge dà wèntí.
  • English: Even little kids know that global warming is a big problem.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes how widespread awareness of the issue is.
• Example 10:
  • 各国需要合作，共同应对全球变暖带来的挑战。
  • Pinyin: Gèguó xūyào hézuò, gòngtóng yìngduì quánqiú biànnuǎn dàilái de tiǎozhàn.
  • English: All countries need to cooperate to jointly face the challenges brought by global warming.
  • Analysis: A sentence reflecting the theme of international cooperation, common in diplomatic language.

• 全球变暖 (quánqiú biànnuǎn) vs. 气候变化 (qìhòu biànhuà): This is the most important distinction for learners.
  • 全球变暖 specifically refers to “global warming,” the increase in temperature.
  • 气候变化 (qìhòu biànhuà) means “climate change,” a much broader term that includes warming as well as other long-term changes in weather patterns, precipitation, sea levels, etc.
  • In scientific and formal government documents, 气候变化 is often preferred because it is more comprehensive and accurate, a trend that mirrors the shift from “global warming” to “climate change” in English.
• Common Mistake: Blaming a single weather event entirely on 全球变暖.
  • Incorrect: `今天下大雪，所以全球变暖是假的。` (Jīntiān xià dàxuě, suǒyǐ quánqiú biànnuǎn shì jiǎ de.) - “It's snowing heavily today, so global warming is fake.”
  • Reason: This confuses weather (short-term) with climate (long-term). 全球变暖 refers to a long-term average trend, not the weather on any given day. A more correct understanding is that global warming can lead to more frequent and intense *extreme weather events*, including unusual cold snaps or snowstorms in some regions.

• 气候变化 (qìhòu biànhuà): Climate Change. The broader, more encompassing scientific term.
• 温室效应 (wēnshì xiàoyìng): Greenhouse Effect. The physical mechanism that causes global warming.
• 碳排放 (tàn páifàng): Carbon Emissions. A primary driver of the greenhouse effect.
• 环境保护 (huánjìng bǎohù): Environmental Protection. The general field of policy and action related to protecting the environment.
• 可再生能源 (kě zàishēng néngyuán): Renewable Energy. A key solution, including solar, wind, and hydro power.
• 极端天气 (jíduān tiānqì): Extreme Weather. A major consequence, such as typhoons, heatwaves, and droughts.
• 海平面上升 (hǎi píngmiàn shàngshēng): Sea-Level Rise. A direct result of melting ice caps caused by global warming.
• 生态文明 (shēngtài wénmíng): Ecological Civilization. A key Chinese government concept promoting sustainable development.
• 低碳 (dī tàn): Low-Carbon. A term describing a lifestyle, economy, or technology designed to minimize carbon emissions.
• 可持续发展 (kě chíxù fāzhǎn): Sustainable Development. The goal of developing in a way that meets present needs without compromising future generations.