Final answer:
Global warming is caused by an increase in greenhouse gases like CO2, which enhance the natural greenhouse effect and result in altered climate patterns. The increased levels are largely due to human activities since the Industrial Revolution. Mitigation strategies focus on reducing emissions and increasing efficiency in energy use.
Step-by-step explanation:
Global warming refers to the rise in Earth's average temperature, primarily due to an increase in greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, a natural process known as the greenhouse effect, which is critical to maintaining temperatures that support life. However, human activities, particularly since the Industrial Revolution, have increased concentrations of these gases, thereby enhancing the natural greenhouse effect and altering global weather patterns. This change is often referred to as global climate change.
Among the common greenhouse gases, CO2 plays a pivotal role due to its ability to absorb infrared radiation. Sources include burning fossil fuels for industry, transportation, and electricity, as well as deforestation. Methane, another significant greenhouse gas, is produced by agricultural practices, waste management, and by natural processes such as decomposition in wetlands.
Efforts to mitigate the human influence on global warming include reducing the emission of greenhouse gases through energy efficiency, switching to renewable energy sources, improving land use practices, and developing technologies for carbon capture and storage.