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

The SuperC consortium was established in 2023 by Professor Törmä and an international group of leading physicists who share the goal of using quantum physics to help address climate change.

From Science Daily • Jul. 7, 2026

The country - which has the longest coastline in the world - is growing increasingly concerned about climate change warming Arctic waters and opening up new fronts for adversaries to attack.

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2026

The Legambiente non-government group said that agricultural engineering has not kept pace with climate change and that farming needs a new transformation.

From Barron's • Jul. 4, 2026

For George Buckley, chief European economist at Japanese bank Nomura, climate change is becoming harder to ignore, even in a profession preoccupied with quarterly data.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026

And arguing about climate change was definitely not peaceful.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz