Global warming temperature focus – UGC NET Question

Global warming is conventionally defined as the rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s surface air and oceans over decades. This increase is driven primarily by human induced greenhouse gas emissions. The stem clearly points to a long term increase in average temperature,so “surface” is the correct qualifier. It aligns with how global warming is measured and discussed in climate science.

Option A:
The core refers to the innermost part of the Earth and its temperature changes do not capture climate trends experienced by living organisms. Global warming discussions rarely focus on core temperature,so Option A is inaccurate.

Option B:
Surface temperature records from land and sea provide the key empirical basis for assessing global warming. These datasets show a clear upward trend over the last century. This is precisely the aspect highlighted in the stem.

Option C:
The crust describes the solid outer shell of the Earth and its temperature is uneven and not used as the primary climate indicator. Thus Option C does not match the standard definition of global warming.

Option D:
The mantle is a deep interior layer and its thermal behaviour is largely independent of atmospheric greenhouse gas levels. It is not the focus of climate change discussions,so Option D is not appropriate.