Climate changes is generally a very slow process - unless there is a natural event - like being hit with a huge asteroid - extinction of dinosaurs, etc..
The current climate change alarms some people because it is readily visible in our lifetime, breaking the tradition of slow change over thousands/millions of years.
There are many signs of change - and people generally accept them as real. The disagreement that I see, results from what is the cause and is there liability involved. Is man the cause, or is it naturally occurring.
At this point- we are behind the action, playing catchup. --- It is not in my control, so I will just enjoy the milder winters (even with this cold snap, the temps are warmer than they were when I moved to Maine in the 1980's.) I enjoy the extended growing season. Hard frost which used to come in early September, now comes in late October, -
allowed me to harvest tomatoes for canning mid October this year.
I bird- and that is messed up. The once common boreal species are gone further north and the more southern species are with us all summer - cardinals replacing evening grosbeaks for one example.
As a society we don't plan for storms, hurricanes, mile wide tornadoes, winter/summer coastal flooding, huge forest fires, 3 digit temps, etc.. The insurance industry would like us to. The DOD lists climate change as a threat to national security.
It does not make much difference what I think, or what future is there for our children. I recognize the absence of control on my part - and will make do as I can. - I never thought I would need an air conditioner in Maine when I moved here - and I didn't for many years. Now - I couldn't live without it - just gets so damned hot!
Climate change- Global warming. It is.