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 Trust is cautious about attributing the changes directly to climate change at a single site.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Researchers compared trends across different world regions and examined how population growth related to climate change, carbon emissions, and ecological footprints.

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

The findings, based on more than 20 years of data of koala rescues, underscore the threat facing not just humans but wildlife as climate change makes heatwaves more frequent and intense.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

With further climate change, even higher temperatures will soon be a serious possibility, warned Prof Betts.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

“We brought all these amazing young people together to show you that climate change isn’t some far-off threat,” Natalie said, reading from the screen on the podium.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz