Global warming is caused by greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide that are released into the atmosphere by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. These gases trap heat in the lower atmosphere, causing the planet to gradually get hotter over time. This silent process is already harming the planet through rising sea levels from melting polar ice caps and warming global temperatures that threaten human habitability if left unaddressed. Individual actions that contribute to global warming include vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and using products containing chlorofluorocarbons, so collective efforts are needed such as adopting renewable energy and reducing deforestation to prevent continued damage to the environment.