Climate change seems to be the most frequent label used in the media and science currently, including among my co-authors (Dai et al. 2017; Duque-Lazo et al. 2018). Three decades ago climate warming was the term of choice in general as well as for my international institute (Beek & Gils 1992). The reason for moving from warming to change seems obvious. But when did the switch occur? Was is gradually or more suddenly initiated by a conference, publication or other event? Or by better understanding?