climate change

[klahy-mit cheynj]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of climate change¹

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

The editorial notes that factors such as climate change, rapid urbanization, and increasing international travel are helping mosquito-borne viruses spread more widely, creating new public health challenges around the world.

Read more on Science Daily

Coccolithophores often dominate vast stretches of the ocean, but climate change is altering the temperature, chemistry, and nutrient makeup of seawater.

Read more on Science Daily

The speech showed the sharply diverging attitude of U.S. and Chinese leadership toward clean energy and climate change.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Arctic seals and birds are coming under increasing threat, mainly due to climate change and human activity, according to an updated list of endangered species released Friday by the world's top conservation body.

Read more on Barron's

However, despite recent gains, green turtles are still far below their historic numbers due to past overexploitation and ongoing threats like fishing, habitat loss and climate change.

Read more on BBC

When To Use

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 ]