What term refers to long-term changes in global or regional climate patterns caused by natural or human factors?

The term that properly describes long-term changes in global or regional climate patterns caused by both natural and human factors is "climate change." This concept encompasses a variety of shifts in climate, including average temperature, precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events, which can occur over extended periods.

While "global warming" often refers specifically to the observed increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases, it is just one aspect of climate change and does not encompass the broader spectrum of climatic shifts. "Weather variation" refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, such as daily temperature or precipitation, and does not address long-term trends. Similarly, "climate fluctuation" suggests changes within a specific range but does not adequately capture the ongoing, sustained shifts that characterize climate change.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial, as "climate change" reflects the complexity and multifaceted nature of shifts in climatological patterns, influencing ecosystems, human health, and socio-economic structures over time.