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

In 1998, he donated a billion dollars to the United Nations to create the UN Foundation, which has focused on climate change, sustainable development, technology and health initiatives.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

“California has led the world in responding to the dangers of climate change, and we know that it will continue to do so,” they wrote.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Experts warn this combination, along with climate change, is creating a longer and more volatile wildfire season.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

The Freedmen were a Muscogee Nation–level issue and climate change was a global one—bigger than the scope of a group of teenagers working together to create short-format video content.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith