Question

How has global warming affected air temperatures?

Answer 1

I prefer "Global Climate Change" instead of "Global Warming"

Explanation:

Due to increase of concentrations of greenhouse gases (`CO_2, CH_4, N_2O`, etc.) in the atmosphere, the Blue Planet has been experiencing problems in its air temperature. Eleven of the years between 1995 and 2006 rank among the 12 warmest years in the instrumental record of global surface temperature (IPCC; 2017).

Another (and recent) explanation:
"Globally-averaged temperatures in 2016 were 1.78 degrees Fahrenheit (0.99 degrees Celsius) warmer than the mid-20th century mean. This makes 2016 the third year in a row to set a new record for global average surface temperatures." (NASA, 2017).

"Most of the warming occurred in the past 35 years, with 16 of the 17 warmest years on record occurring since 2001. Not only was 2016 the warmest year on record, but eight of the 12 months that make up the year – from January through September, with the exception of June – were the warmest on record for those respective months. October, November, and December of 2016 were the second warmest of those months on record – in all three cases, behind records set in 2015." (NASA, 2017).

In summary, the Blue Planet has been suffering from hotter air temperatures due to increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

References:

IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change) (2007) "Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis", Cambridge University Press, Cambridge UK.

NASA (2017). NASA, NOAA data show 2016 warmest year on record globally. Retrieved on the internet on June 9, 2017: https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2537/nasa-noaa-data-show-2016-warmest-year-on-record-globally/