What does climate change refer to?

Climate change refers to long-term changes in atmospheric conditions, which encompasses shifts in temperature, precipitation patterns, and other climatic factors over extended periods—usually defined as decades to millions of years. This definition includes significant alterations in the Earth's climate systems, such as global warming driven by increased greenhouse gas emissions, changes in ice cover, and shifts in flora and fauna distribution.

This understanding distinguishes climate change from short-term variations in weather patterns, which are more accurately described by fluctuating weather phenomena that occur over short timeframes, such as days or weeks. Additionally, while seasonal shifts in temperature can be influenced by climate change, they are a natural part of the year-to-year cycle and do not capture the broader, more persistent trends associated with climate change. Daily variations in climate reflect momentary atmospheric changes and are distinct from the longer-term trends that define climate change. Thus, the correct answer encapsulates the essence of climate change in the context of prolonged atmospheric shifts.