Meaning of canaries in the coal mine | Babel Free

Definitions

Noun. [C2]

Examples

“For example, coral reefs are highly sensitive and vulnerable to hot temperatures, because hot temperatures cause the corals to bleach and eventually die; indeed, Cornell University marine ecologist, Drew Harvell, remarked that "In a way, corals are like the canaries in the coal mine for global warming" (Ten-Bruggencate, 2003).”

“Like the absent songbirds that Carson believed to be the hallmark of wider degradation of the environment, American children are the canaries in the coal mine, or the early messengers alerting us that our way of life is toxic and seriously damaging to our health.”

“Runners who are less sensitive than I, or more macho, or simply better able to tolerate pain, might have laughed at my tiny blisters, but the fact is that these little problems are indicators of bigger problems with our technique. They are canaries in the coal mine — signs of impending back pain, knee pain, foot pain, and other big issues destined to come back to haunt you in the long run.”

CEFR level