Global warming refers to the long-term increase in the Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, leading to significant environmental impacts such as melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events. It results from greenhouse gases, particularly from fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and urbanization, which enhance the greenhouse effect. Key consequences include biodiversity loss, changes in precipitation patterns, and disruptions to agricultural productivity, posing serious risks to ecosystems and human livelihoods.