Global Warming - GCSE Biology Definition

Global warming is the gradual increase in the Earth's average temperature, mainly caused by the rising levels of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, preventing it from escaping back into space and causing the planet to warm up. This warming effect leads to changes in the climate, such as more extreme weather events, melting ice caps, and rising sea levels. Human activities, like burning fossil fuels for energy and cutting down forests, contribute significantly to global warming by increasing the amount of these greenhouse gases. Understanding global warming is important because it affects ecosystems, weather patterns, and human life around the world.