Final answer:
La Niña is the term for the cooling of Pacific Ocean surface temperatures, part of the ENSO cycle, which influences global weather patterns. It contrasts with El Niño, which is characterized by warmer temperatures. Both phenomena play a significant role in affecting global climate and weather.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two-word term for the current cooling of surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean that can impact weather across the globe is La Niña. This is a climate phenomenon that occurs as part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. During a La Niña event, sea surface temperatures (SST) in the eastern Pacific Ocean are lower than average, which can lead to changes in atmospheric pressure patterns, influencing global weather and climate. La Niña is often considered the counterpart to the El Niño phenomenon, which involves a warming of the Pacific Ocean surface temperatures. Both La Niña and El Niño have significant impacts on global climate, affecting temperature and precipitation patterns worldwide.
Climate change and global warming represent broader concerns regarding long-term shifts in temperature and atmosphere. While La Niña and El Niño are cyclical and short-term, anthropogenic climate change is a prolonged phenomenon that has been attributed to a variety of factors including increased levels of greenhouse gases like CO2. The implications of these changes are vast, influencing agriculture, sea levels, and the natural environment.