This study investigates how gene expression in *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* is remodeled in response to various environmental changes, including temperature, oxidation, nutrients, pH, and osmolarity. Using genome-wide expression analysis, the researchers found that over half of the yeast genome is involved in these responses, identifying a global set of genes induced and repressed by each condition. The results implicate many previously uncharacterized genes in these responses and reveal a signature common to environmental responses involving approximately 10% of yeast genes. Expression analysis with *MSN2/MSN4* mutants supports the model that the Msn2/Msn4 activators induce the common response to environmental change. These findings provide a comprehensive description of the transcriptional response to environmental changes and enhance our understanding of the role of activators in this process.This study investigates how gene expression in *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* is remodeled in response to various environmental changes, including temperature, oxidation, nutrients, pH, and osmolarity. Using genome-wide expression analysis, the researchers found that over half of the yeast genome is involved in these responses, identifying a global set of genes induced and repressed by each condition. The results implicate many previously uncharacterized genes in these responses and reveal a signature common to environmental responses involving approximately 10% of yeast genes. Expression analysis with *MSN2/MSN4* mutants supports the model that the Msn2/Msn4 activators induce the common response to environmental change. These findings provide a comprehensive description of the transcriptional response to environmental changes and enhance our understanding of the role of activators in this process.