Global warming refers to the long-term rise in Earth's average surface temperature due to human emissions of greenhouse gases. Since pre-industrial times, human activities have increased Earth's average temperature by 1 degree Celsius. Climate change encompasses global warming and its wider impacts, such as changes in weather patterns, melting ice sheets and sea level rise. While global warming refers specifically to temperature increases from human greenhouse gas emissions, climate change also includes naturally-occurring factors. Addressing global warming requires reducing carbon emissions through individual lifestyle changes as well as policy-level solutions to preserve Earth for future generations.