climate change

noun

: significant and long-lasting change in the Earth's climate and weather patterns

The half-tonne … turtles were thought to have died out 30,000 to 40,000 years ago because of climate change.

—New Scientist

especially, in current use : such change associated with global warming

Concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change are renewed among scientists and the public with every new report about the possibility of melting icecaps and rising temperatures.

—Randy Showstack

Drought is a paleontological fact in the American West, but the latest desiccations have a new signature, and my region's climatologists, hydrologists, foresters, and water managers are nearly unanimous in their conviction that what we are seeing now is climate change, the anthropogenic kind, a consequence of too much CO2 and other greenhouse gases.

—Kenneth Brower

Examples of climate change in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With its Citizen Solutions project, the group has also brought together 11 people to discuss gun rights and safety in Tennessee and plans to work in other states on issues like immigration, education and climate change. —Maayan Silver, NPR, 24 May 2024

Concern over climate change is growing rapidly, as is the public’s interest in addressing it. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 24 May 2024

In April, temperatures in Bangladesh – ranked the seventh most vulnerable country to climate change – soared to over 104 F, forcing schools to close. —Anastasia Moloney, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 May 2024

One of coral reef’s biggest threats is climate change, according to NOAA. —Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 24 May 2024

Experts have previously warned that climate change could cause an increase in hurricane intensity and other severe storms. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 23 May 2024

This column is the latest edition of Boiling Point, an email newsletter about climate change and the environment in California and the American West. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2024

The news is noteworthy given Ramaswamy's strong views, including public criticism of critical race theory, self-victimization, climate change efforts and diversity programs. —Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 22 May 2024

Meanwhile, humanitarian crises across the globe are growing more acute, driven by political conflict and climate change. —Kaete O’Connell / Made By History, TIME, 22 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

climate change

noun

: significant and long-lasting change in the earth's climate and weather patterns

especially : such change associated with global warming