What term describes long-term changes in Earth’s climate?

What term describes long-term changes in Earth’s climate?

• A. Weather
• B. Meteorology
• C. Natural disasters
• D. Climate change

Answer: (D)

Long-term changes in Earth's climate are described by climate change. Climate refers to the average weather patterns in a place over many years, while weather is what you experience day to day. Climate change means those average conditions are shifting over time, such as warmer temperatures, altered rainfall, rising sea levels, and melting ice. Meteorology is the science of studying weather and predicting it, while natural disasters are extreme events like hurricanes or floods, not the long-term change itself. The term climate change best fits the idea of enduring shifts in climate, not the immediate weather or the events caused by weather.

Long-term changes in Earth's climate are described by climate change. Climate refers to the average weather patterns in a place over many years, while weather is what you experience day to day. Climate change means those average conditions are shifting over time, such as warmer temperatures, altered rainfall, rising sea levels, and melting ice. Meteorology is the science of studying weather and predicting it, while natural disasters are extreme events like hurricanes or floods, not the long-term change itself. The term climate change best fits the idea of enduring shifts in climate, not the immediate weather or the events caused by weather.