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

“This particular year is as clear an indication of the influence of climate change as anything we’ve seen,” said Peter Gleick, a leading water scientist and co-founder of the Pacific Institute.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

At the time, the company was concerned about improving its public image as worries about climate change went mainstream.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The Treasury Department found in a report released last year that the majority of nonrenewals are related to increased costs associated with climate change.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 28, 2026

Species around the world are vanishing at an accelerating pace, driven by climate change, habitat destruction, and invasive species.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2026

If it was going to take everybody to fix climate change, she was going to have to find a way to get as many people together as possible.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz