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
Over the same period, the share of Republicans who believed climate change posed a serious threat fell by a third.
—Saul Elbein, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
Given their critical role in carbon storage, protecting and understanding mycorrhizal fungi is vital for addressing the threat of climate change.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 16 Apr. 2025
The long-time former labor activist told the committee that companies that cause climate change should be held accountable, but not at the expense of workers.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2025
Leading scientists have reacted with exasperation to a major new climate change report showing that Europe experienced its warmest year on record in 2024, confirming its status as the world's fastest-warming continent.
—David Vetter, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
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Saul Elbein, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
Given their critical role in carbon storage, protecting and understanding mycorrhizal fungi is vital for addressing the threat of climate change.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 16 Apr. 2025
The long-time former labor activist told the committee that companies that cause climate change should be held accountable, but not at the expense of workers.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2025
Leading scientists have reacted with exasperation to a major new climate change report showing that Europe experienced its warmest year on record in 2024, confirming its status as the world's fastest-warming continent.
—David Vetter, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for climate change
Cite this Entry
“Climate change.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/climate%20change. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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