Global warming is caused by the greenhouse effect trapping heat in the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels like coal, deforestation, consumer goods production, and other human activities like mining. The effects of global warming include hotter temperatures seen through more heat waves and the hottest years on record, melting ice and rising sea levels as seen in decreasing Arctic sea ice and accelerating Antarctic ice sheet mass loss, and more extreme weather events such as intensified hurricanes and increased heatwaves and droughts and flooding. Individual actions can help minimize global warming impacts, like using less single-use items, air conditioning, installing solar panels, rainwater harvesting, tree planting, seed collection, and raising awareness.