Nate Hagens defines 'climate change' as the alteration of Earth's climate systems resulting predominantly from human activities, such as fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and industrial processes, which increase concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This anthropogenic influence leads to global temperature rise, shifts in weather patterns, and increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Hagens underscores the interconnectedness of ecological, economic, and energy systems, emphasizing that climate change is not merely an environmental issue but a complex phenomenon with far-reaching implications for human societies and natural ecosystems alike. He advocates for a holistic understanding of climate change, one that accounts for the socio-economic drivers and the need for systemic changes to mitigate its impacts effectively.

See also: carrying capacity, fossil fuel, climate model, renewable energy, carbon pulse