Global warming occurs when greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane trap heat in the atmosphere, causing the planet to warm up. This is harmful because many plants and animals cannot adapt to the temperature changes and die off. The primary causes of global warming are human activities like burning fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases into the air. Effects of global warming include rising sea levels from melting ice caps that can flood island communities, more severe weather events, and destruction of forests by fires and acid rain. While major changes need to be made by governments and industry, small individual actions like conserving energy can also help address the problem.