Meaning & use

climate change

noun·Academic

A long-term shift in global or regional weather patterns and average temperatures, especially the current warming linked to human activity.

See it in a sentence

Scientists point to rising sea levels as clear evidence of climate change.

The conference brought world leaders together to negotiate new climate change targets.

A note on using this word

"Climate change" is now preferred over "global warming" in science because it covers shifting rainfall and storms, not just rising temperatures.

Words with a similar meaning

global warming

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Make it your own

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