Global Warming

Global warming is the increase in the temperature of the Earth's surface, air and oceans. Global surface temperature increased 0.74 ºC during the last century.

Increasing greenhouse gas concentrations resulting from fossil fuel burning and deforestation are responsible of most of the observed temperature increase since the middle of the 20th century.

Increasing global temperature will cause sea levels to rise and will change the amount of rain, probably including expansion of deserts. The continuing retreat of glaciers is expected, with the . Other likely effects include shrinkage of the Amazon rainforest, increases in the intensity of extreme weather events, exctinction of species. Debatescontinues regarding what actions to take in response to global warming.