Global warming is caused by the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere from human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. These gases trap heat in the lower atmosphere and have caused the planet's average temperature to rise over time, known as global warming. If left unaddressed, global warming will have severe consequences including more extreme weather, higher sea levels, and mass extinction of wildlife. Individual actions like reducing energy usage, waste, and switching to renewable energy can help mitigate the effects of global warming.