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

That led to the creation of the United Nations Foundation, which focuses on issues such as global climate change, children’s health and security.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

“We could actually have a shot here at having somebody who cares about climate change, who wants to hold utilities accountable, who wants to hold big polluters accountable,” Stokes said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Warmer conditions linked to climate change encourage earlier leaf growth, while pressure from insects pushes trees to delay it.

From Science Daily • May 5, 2026

How climate change affects the emergence and strength of El Ninos is still not well understood.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

A bunch of people carried protest signs and wore T-shirts with climate change slogans, and Akira and Natalie took pictures of the best ones.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz