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
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
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
Kenneth Brower Examples of climate change in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Farmers, after all, are among the biggest losers from climate change, affected at different times by flooding, wildfires, drought and extreme temperatures.
—Raf Casert, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024
The ancient climate data can aid in understanding the present and where we’re headed under current climate change, says Head.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 18 Apr. 2024
Researchers found Maria's extreme rainfall was 5 times more likely because of climate change.
—David Schechter, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2024
However, climate change may also be playing a role.
—Amit Katwala, WIRED, 17 Apr. 2024
Studies show that if climate change continues at the same pace, 99% of the world's coral reefs are likely to die off by the end of the century.
—Ryan Kellman, NPR, 17 Apr. 2024
Indeed, the Dutchman’s record on climate change is mixed, with some praising his relatively progressive views compared with those of his peers at other fossil fuel companies.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 17 Apr. 2024
Newsletter Toward a more sustainable California Get Boiling Point, our newsletter exploring climate change, energy and the environment, and become part of the conversation — and the solution.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024
Europe’s top human rights court said that the Swiss government had violated its citizens’ human rights by not doing enough to stop climate change.
—Lisa Friedman, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Raf Casert, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024
The ancient climate data can aid in understanding the present and where we’re headed under current climate change, says Head.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 18 Apr. 2024
Researchers found Maria's extreme rainfall was 5 times more likely because of climate change.
—David Schechter, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2024
However, climate change may also be playing a role.
—Amit Katwala, WIRED, 17 Apr. 2024
Studies show that if climate change continues at the same pace, 99% of the world's coral reefs are likely to die off by the end of the century.
—Ryan Kellman, NPR, 17 Apr. 2024
Indeed, the Dutchman’s record on climate change is mixed, with some praising his relatively progressive views compared with those of his peers at other fossil fuel companies.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 17 Apr. 2024
Newsletter Toward a more sustainable California Get Boiling Point, our newsletter exploring climate change, energy and the environment, and become part of the conversation — and the solution.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024
Europe’s top human rights court said that the Swiss government had violated its citizens’ human rights by not doing enough to stop climate change.
—Lisa Friedman, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'climate change.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Climate change.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/climate%20change. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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