Global warming

Global warming is the long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth's surface, a central aspect of climate change.

Cause

It is driven mainly by increasing levels of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, from burning fossil fuels and deforestation. These gases trap heat that would otherwise escape into space.

Effects

Warming leads to melting ice, rising seas, heatwaves and disruptions to ecosystems and farming.

Frequently asked questions

What is global warming?

The rise in Earth's average surface temperature.

What causes global warming?

Greenhouse gases from human activities such as burning fossil fuels.