Global warming is being caused by human activities that release heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. This is trapping heat and changing the climate faster than some living things can adapt to, causing glaciers and ice sheets to melt and sea levels to rise. If unchecked, global warming will lead to more extreme weather events like major storms, floods, and droughts, and will impact plants and animals. Collective action is needed to reduce the use of polluting activities, conserve energy, and adopt more environmentally-friendly practices to mitigate the effects of climate change.