Global warming is the rise in temperature of the planets air and oceans in the past few decades and its predicted continuation. The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) concludes, most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures in recent years is most likely due to the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations, which leads to warming of the surface and lower atmosphere by increasing the greenhouse effect. An increase in global temperatures can in turn cause other changes, including sea level rise, and changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation. There may also be changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, though it is difficult to connect specific events to global warming. Other effects may include changes in crop production, glacier melting, and species extinctions. Remaining scientific questions include the exact degree of climate change expected in the future, and how changes will change from place to place around the world. There is continuing political and public debate regarding what, if any, action should be taken to reduce or reverse future warming or to adapt to its expected consequences. Most national governments have signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol , which is designed for combating greenhouse gas emissions. The detailed causes of the recent warming remain an active field of research, but the scientific consensus identifies increased levels of greenhouse gases due to human activity as the main influence. This attribution is clearest for the most recent 50 years, for which the most detailed data are available. On a personal note, I believe the idea of global warming, isnt correct. I think the earth is getting warmer, but I also believe it is all just a phase we are going through. I think eventually things will even out as we go. The earth at some point will probably return to normal. Most of the research that scientists try to show us always seems to have large flaws in it that just make it hard to believe it is correct.