Global warming is the gradual increase in the overall temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, primarily caused by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. These activities release greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere, which trap heat from the sun and warm the planet. The warming of the planet can lead to a variety of negative impacts, such as more frequent and severe heat waves, rising sea levels, and changes in precipitation patterns. It can also cause changes in ecosystems, and potentially, extinction of species. Climate change, is the broader term which includes the changes in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other measures of the Earth's climate over time.