climate change: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Not exactly. 'Global warming' refers specifically to the increase in Earth's average surface temperature. 'Climate change' includes warming but also encompasses its wider effects, such as changes in precipitation, sea level rise, and extreme weather patterns.

The climate has changed naturally throughout Earth's history. However, the current rapid rate of climate change is overwhelmingly driven by human activities, especially the emission of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

The primary cause is the enhanced greenhouse effect due to increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and other gases, largely from burning coal, oil, and natural gas.

We cannot reverse changes that have already occurred, but we can mitigate (slow down and limit) future climate change by rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Adaptation to the changes that are now unavoidable is also necessary.

Long-term shifts in global or regional climate patterns, primarily attributed to human activities since the Industrial Revolution.

Climate change is usually formal to neutral; widely used across academic, media, policy, and general discourse. in register.

Climate change: in British English it is pronounced /ˈklaɪ.mət ˌtʃeɪndʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈklaɪ.mət ˌtʃeɪndʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.