German Phrase
Was verursacht die globale Erwärmung?
Meaning
Literally, 'What causes the global warming?' The sentence asks for the factors or processes that lead to the increase in Earth's average temperature.
When to use
Use this question in discussions about climate change, school presentations, news reports, or any conversation where you want to explore the scientific or human reasons behind rising temperatures.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WasverursachtdieglobaleErwärmung?
Was (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask 'what' and stands in the nominative case as the subject of the sentence.
verursacht (verb)
Third‑person singular present of 'verursachen' (to cause); the verb agrees with the subject 'Was'.
die (definite article)
Accusative feminine singular article; it marks 'Erwärmung' as the direct object.
globale (adjective)
Weak declension adjective that matches the gender, number, and case of 'Erwärmung' (feminine accusative).
Erwärmung (noun)
Feminine noun meaning 'warming'; here it is the object of the verb.
Question mark
Indicates a yes/no or information‑seeking question; the word order (verb‑second) stays the same.
🗨In Conversation
Was verursacht die globale Erwärmung?
What causes global warming?
Hauptsächlich die Verbrennung fossiler Brennstoffe, Entwaldung und industrielle Emissionen.
Mainly the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial emissions.
✕Common Mistakes
Was verursacht der globale Erwärmung?
The noun is accusative, not dative; the article must be 'die'.
Was verursachen die globale Erwärmung?
In a question the verb must be conjugated to match the singular subject 'Was'.
Was verursacht die globalen Erwärmung?
The adjective must agree with the feminine accusative noun, so it stays 'globale'.
↔Alternatives
Was ist die Ursache der globalen Erwärmung?
What is the cause of global warming?
Wodurch entsteht die globale Erwärmung?
Through what does global warming arise?
Welche Faktoren führen zur globalen Erwärmung?
Which factors lead to global warming?
Cultural Tip
In German media and academic circles, the term 'globale Erwärmung' is often used interchangeably with 'Klimawandel', though the latter covers broader climate changes beyond temperature rise. When speaking in formal settings, prefer the full phrase; in casual conversation, you might hear 'der Klimawandel' more often. Also, avoid mixing English loanwords like 'global warming' into German sentences unless you’re speaking with bilingual listeners.