This particular article reviewing reports on species range shifts under contemporary climate change would not have seen the light of day without Robert K. Colwell (see Fig. \ref{907723}) to whom I am deeply indebted at several levels. Robert intervened several times throughout the difficult birth of that paper. Hence, I take the opportunity of this backstory to first and foremost acknowledge Robert for his help, valuable advice and common sense and for trusting me when the odds were against me. Inevitably, Robert’s work on quantifying biodiversity was, and still is, a great source of inspiration for me and my research.