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

See Examples For:

climate change

They were all for clean energy, many to address climate change, and include investments in new battery plants, upgrades for the electrical grid and initiatives to take carbon out of the air.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

ELI’s efforts to “provide neutral, objective information to the judiciary” about climate change have been supported by foundations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

Researchers warn that rising global temperatures due to climate change will lead to more frequent and intense wildfires in the future.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026

The charity says the results help researchers track how species are responding to climate change, habitat loss and conservation efforts.

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

She didn’t tell him the other perspective she’d gotten, about him and climate change.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz