It's Called "Global Climate Change" for a Reason

Dear world,
I might just have to slap the next person who says "global warming." No, seriously. It's called global climate change.

"Oh, same difference," you say.
Then I punch you in the face.

Let me break it down:
Yes, on average, global surface temperatures are rising. For the past 50 years surface temperatures have been rising about 0.13°C per decade. This is not the whole story, however:

1) Some surface areas are cooling.
There are areas of the world, including parts of the southeastern U.S. and parts of the North Atlantic, that have been cooling over the last century. (The cooling has been slight and there are far more areas experiencing increasing temperatures, leading a global average of increasing temperatures.)

2) The stratosphere is cooling.
The whole atmosphere is affected by the greenhouse effect, not just the surface.
Let's quickly review our earth sciences here:
The Earth's atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding the planet that is retained by the Earth's gravity. It is composed of four layers:
        1) The troposphere (from Earth's surface --> 5 to 9 miles)
        2) The stratosphere (from troposphere --> 31 miles)
        3) The mesosphere (from stratosphere --> 53 miles)
        4) The thermosphere (from mesosphere --> 372 miles)
The surface temperatures and those of the troposphere have been rising. In the stratosphere, however, temperatures are falling. (Learn more here.)

Thus, calling it "global warming" is inaccurate. So please don't.

Love,
Laura