Final answer:
Global warming is the ongoing rise in Earth's average surface temperature due to elevated greenhouse gas levels from human activities like fossil fuel burning. It has significant effects on climate patterns and is widely recognized by climate researchers as being anthropogenic in nature.
Step-by-step explanation:
Global warming is the ongoing rise in the global average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, mainly due to increased levels of greenhouse gases caused by human activities like the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. During the last century, there has been a rise of almost 1°C (1.3°F) in Earth's average surface temperature, which may not seem significant, but it has profound effects on the planet's climate patterns and ecosystems. The majority of climate researchers agree that human actions are the driving force behind this trend.
The rise in greenhouse gas concentrations is the primary cause of the enhanced greenhouse effect, leading to global warming. An increase in carbon dioxide due to activities such as the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas has heavily contributed to these rising temperatures. The destruction of forests also adds to the problem, as fewer trees mean less carbon dioxide being removed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Human activities have led to unprecedented impacts on Earth's climate system, which are not explained by natural causes alone. This has resulted in various consequences, including shifts in weather patterns and an increase in extreme weather events.