Is our house starting to get warmer? What happens if this is the case? The problem of global warming could have harmful effects on the way we live. There are some things you need to first understand about global warming before deciding what to do: what is it, what causes it, how is it measured, and what are its effects? So, what is global warming? Global warming is described as an increase in the temperature of the Earth's surface. The most commonly used definition is that global warming is climate change caused by human activities. This “human-caused” warming is called anthropogenic (“Definitions of Global Warming”). Natural global warming can occur in many ways. Greenhouse gases are those that trap the Earth's heat and reflect it back ("Definitions of global warming"). Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an example. Greenhouse gases are so named because they act like a giant greenhouse around the earth (“Climate”). These gases can be released into the air as a byproduct of what humans use to live their lives. This is the main reason why many people blame humans for global warming (“Causes of Global Warming”). One source says there are other natural causes such as water vapor which is mostly clouds, methane which cows constantly give off, and chlorofluorocarbons which were once found in refrigerators. Even small changes in solar power can change the temperature of the Earth's surface. There are also other minor factors that can slowly change the Earth's temperature. One of these things is the small change in Earth's orbit that occurs approximately every 100,000 years and can cause the Earth to slowly warm and cool ("Climate"). This... middle of document.......uk/environment/climate-change/deforestation-the-hidden-cause-of-global-warming-448734.html>. "Global warming: definitions and debate." Zfacts.com. Web. March 19, 2010. "Causes of global warming." Homepage NEWTON/ANL. Web. March 19, 2010. .Facts on global warming, causes of warming climate, global climate change, global Change, Victor Miguel Ponce Web, March 19, 2010. "Global warming, global warming news, effects of global warming on LiveScience.com "The 100 main effects of global warming. " Center for American Progress Web, March 19.. 2010. .