climate change

American  

[klahy-mit cheynj] / ˈklaɪ mɪt ˌtʃeɪndʒ /

noun

1. a long-term change in the earth's climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature.

   Melting glaciers imply that life in the Arctic is affected by climate change.

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Usage

What is climate change? Climate change refers to a sweeping change in global climate conditions, including weather phenomena, temperature, and sea levels. It’s caused by an influx of greenhouse gases, mostly from fossil fuel emissions around the world. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere and change weather patterns, warming many areas of the globe and causing erratic season and weather events.How is term pronounced?[ klahy-mit cheynj ]

Etymology

Origin of climate change

First recorded in 1980–85

Compare meaning

How does climate-change compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• global warming vs. climate change

Example Sentences

Greenland’s rising profile in international affairs reflects the larger global scramble for the Arctic as climate change opens maritime routes and reorders geopolitics at the top of the world.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Seasons no longer follow a pattern. Flowering, fruiting, and harvesting all shift every year because of climate change," says Singh, now 62.

From BBC

"There is evidence that climate change will lead to sharper, more intense precipitation followed by long periods without," Simon Mason, senior scientist at SEI US, told the BBC.

From BBC

Lawsuits against major polluting companies have been on the rise as the consequences of climate change become more apparent.

From Barron's

The text says a "large majority" of ministers "stressed the importance of the energy transition to combat climate change and highlighted the global transition to net zero".

From Barron's