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
Who is understanding that climate change is real and has put more money into fighting climate change than any president in history.
—Michael Levitt, NPR, 27 Apr. 2024
But climate change could also decrease the frequency of days where one or two tornadoes crop up.
—Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
According to the Arbor Day Foundation, climate change is the biggest challenge that faces the planet.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024
The researchers predicted climate change could push those numbers up by 14% by 2090, with grass pollen becoming a bigger problem, particularly in the Northeast, Midwest and Southern Great Plains regions.
—Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2024
Corporations struggle on climate goals amid backlash over 'woke capitalism,' experts say
Corporate America took notice four years ago when Larry Fink, CEO of investment giant BlackRock, declared climate change a top concern.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2024
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
Michael Levitt, NPR, 27 Apr. 2024
But climate change could also decrease the frequency of days where one or two tornadoes crop up.
—Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
According to the Arbor Day Foundation, climate change is the biggest challenge that faces the planet.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024
The researchers predicted climate change could push those numbers up by 14% by 2090, with grass pollen becoming a bigger problem, particularly in the Northeast, Midwest and Southern Great Plains regions.
—Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2024
Corporations struggle on climate goals amid backlash over 'woke capitalism,' experts say
Corporate America took notice four years ago when Larry Fink, CEO of investment giant BlackRock, declared climate change a top concern.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2024
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
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 5 May. 2024.
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