The term "warming rate" refers to the amount by which Earth's average temperature is increasing over time. It typically measures the change in temperature relative to a baseline period, such as pre-industrial times or 1950-1980. The warming rate can be expressed in various units of measure, including degrees Celsius per year (°C/yr) or Fahrenheit per decade (°F/decade). Climate scientists use this metric to track and analyze the effects of human activities on global climate change, as well as to make predictions about future temperature trends.