Climate change refers to significant and long-term changes in the Earth's climate, including temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns. These changes are primarily caused by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The increased concentration of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to a warming effect known as global warming. This warming contributes to changes in weather patterns, rising sea levels, and other environmental impacts.