"Global warming" is a specific example of climate change, which can also refer to cooling. In principle 'global warming' is neutral as to the causes, but in common usage it often implies a human influence. Some organizations use "anthropogenic climate change" or "anthropogenic global warming" for human-induced changes. Global warming is a term used to describe a gradual increase in the earth's average temperatures across the whole planet. Measurements indicate that the global temperature has increased by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past 100 years. This warming trend appeared during a period when human activities were beginning to increase the carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Although most scientists believe that a rise in carbon dioxide emissions will lead to further global warming, uncertainties remain about the timing and severity of resulting climatic change. Nevertheless, many are convinced that human activities are partly responsible for the long-term warming of the past century, and that climatic changes caused by greenhouse gases will be a continuing part of our future. They believe there is enough evidence to demand a sensible approach toward minimizing the potential consequences of global warming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 1000 a panel of scientists convened by the United Nations' Environment Program and the World Meteorological Organization, determined that even if we take steps now to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases, the globe could warm up at a rate faster than it has in the past.