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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.


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:

Example Sentences

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

Spurred on by concerns over climate change and policies meant to address it, heat pumps have outsold gas furnaces each year since 2021, according to the Rocky Mountain Institute, a clean-energy research nonprofit.

From Los Angeles Times

Based on climate change models more intense rainfall, storms and flooding are expected in future winters, Hodgson said.

From BBC

According to the researchers, the results could influence how climate change forecasts and models are developed.

From Science Daily

Michael Gerrard, director of Columbia Law School's climate change law center, told AFP the judgment was "devastating."

From Barron's

Starring a stacked Guatemalan cast, including actor Tony Revolori, the project underlined the encroaching impacts of climate change that corrode once treasured memories, including those of Moreno, who grew up visiting the vacation destination.

From Los Angeles Times