Page last updated on 16th March 2026
What is global warming and what can I do about it?
Global warming is an issue that affects us all. On this page, we’ll explain the meaning of global warming, talk through the consequences of global warming, and look at some of the things you can do to help reduce your impact on the climate.
What does global warming mean?
What is global warming? The easy definition is that it’s the way the world is getting warmer over time.
Global warming doesn’t mean that every day is warmer than the day before. A day in winter is still probably going to be colder than a day from last summer. If you take a step back and look at long-term trends over time, though, the world has been getting warmer over the last century, and each of the last three decades has been hotter than the one before.
What causes global warming?
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, cause global warming by trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and radiating it back to the surface. We call them greenhouse gases because, like the glass panels of a greenhouse, they cause everything beneath them to heat up.
The levels of these gases have increased over the years due to human activity, such as farming, deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels. In other words, what causes global warming is largely a result of our actions over time.
How does global warming affect me and others?
Global warming has various effects on the planet’s weather and climate, so the term ‘climate change’ often comes up in discussion of the consequences of global warming.
The effects of global warming include:
- More frequent extreme weather such as heatwaves and cold waves; you may have noticed more of these yourself.
- An increase in weather-related disasters, such as floods and wildfires.
- Rising sea levels which increase the risk of flooding and worsen coastal erosion due to melting glaciers and the expansion of water as it warms.
- Ocean acidification, which is the ocean getting more acidic because of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and is bad for marine life.
- Challenges to sources of food, such as fish or crops, resulting in higher food prices or difficulty feeding the population.
What can I do to help climate change?
To fight global warming, greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced, and the damage caused by climate change needs to be limited. It’s a joint effort, and government and industry will play a large part. To learn what’s being done on a larger scale to combat global warming, look at our article on how the UK is working towards net zero.
Even if larger organisations are needed to drive this change, it’s still important that individuals also their play their part. So here are some ideas for anyone asking: ‘what can I do about global warming?’:
Cut down on driving
Travelling by foot, bike or public transport, where possible, instead of using a car can make a big difference to your personal emissions.
Install solar panels
Solar panels generate clean energy for your home. As a bonus, this can cut down on your energy bills.
Contribute to a project that's working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
There are many projects that individuals can support, such as projects setting up wind farms or solar
power plants.
Get a smart meter
Smart meters can provide you with a clearer idea of your energy use and where it could be adjusted through its in-home display, which shows near-real-time information about your energy consumption. Over time, this information could help reduce your carbon footprint.
Through collective effort, we can all live more sustainably and help to reduce the effects of global warming. For more on this topic, look at our articles on how smart meters can help the environment.
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