Same thing happened to global warming as happened to "the coming ice age" in the 70's: it was all an over reaction to what was being observed.

The documented cooling from the 40's to the 70's brought many to the conclusion (as I was taught in 6th grade) that our pollution was 'shading' us from the sun and lowering the temperature.

Next thing I knew, they were telling us that we were WARMING. But, the evidence was so weak for THAT, that the term became "Climate Change".

Sure, perhaps 'change' is more accurate, but it's also more useful: If you just claim change - you can use ANYTHING to support your position.