Europe faced a record-breaking heat this summer. It was so hot that you could have fried an egg on the pavement.

Temperatures in many countries are getting beyond 45 degrees Celsius, highest ever on record since 1880. Such extreme temperatures are also killing people.

The hot weather also leads to other serious consequences, such as glacial melting.

Melting glaciers in the North and South poles and Himalayas are contributing to sea level rise and flooding. Coastal cities, ranging from America to Asia, are drowning as a result.

Moreover, there is a less widely known consequence of global warming: the thawing permafrost.

Permafrost usually exists in polar regions. It's underground soil that's always frozen. The thawing permafrost releases methane and other carbon compounds and further warms up the atmosphere.

But that's not the worst. As the permafrost melts, bacteria and viruses that were trapped in the ice sheets for centuries are getting released, spreading deadly diseases. Scientists have found several diseases that we once thought had been eradicated.

So, what exactly causes global warming?

Scientists believe that greenhouse gas emission is a crucial factor leading to the sudden increase in temperatures globally.

The greenhouse gases are known for trapping heat. And these gas emissions mostly come from thermal power plants, automobiles and factories that use fossil fuels like coal, diesel and petrol. That's to say, human activities are responsible for global warming.

So, what can be done to slow down global warming?

Using public transport, planting trees and recycling waste like plastics are all effective ways to reduce carbon footprint. Turning off electronic devices when not in use can also be very beneficial.

Furthermore, lowering the thermostat by 2 degrees in winter and upping it 2 degrees in summer could save nearly a kilogram of carbon dioxide every year.

Everyone should play their part in slowing down global warming because it is a matter of human survival.

On-camera reporter: Gong Zhe

Scriptwriter: Gong Zhe, Cui Weinan

Cover image: Li Wenyi

Executive producer: Guo Meiping   

Producer: Si Nan   

Supervisor: Zhang Shilei