global climate change

is not in our dictionary (yet). Here's what it could mean:

Confidence: high

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noun

The long-term, large-scale shift in the planet's weather patterns and average temperatures, largely driven by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, which increases greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Fossil fuels, which include coal and natural gas, are by far the largest driver of global climate change, according to the United Nations.

From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026

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

Thesaurus

Possible Synonyms

anthropogenic warming
global warming
long-term weather shifts
the greenhouse effect
the climate crisis

Possible Antonyms

a stable atmospheric system
climate stability
predictable weather patterns
climatic normalcy
environmental equilibrium