One of the things about using the phrase "global climate change" when attempting to sway the hearts and minds of your average middle class Aussie is as a general rule they massively underestimate the complexity of "climate" and I find to a level are comforted by the word "change".
For me, someone that is a little {:-)} uncomfortable with the idea of change at the best of times, this phrase actually does ring alarm bells. Why then do I think using it is a problem? In reality if I had to count the amount of times I was patted on the head and had "A change is as good as a holiday", or something in a similar vein, chanted at me during my lifetime I would probably despair of anyone taking the word seriously. I will say I haven't had it chanted at me in this context but socialisation says that a lifetime of believing change though not exactly a good thing, well, happens and usually has some type of silver lining means we just might be sending a rather unintended message.
Another thing I really don't like about using the word change is the perceived powerlessness of it. Really how often is "change" someone's specific life choice. For most of us it is something that happens to all of us and we have to deal with it. That there I feel is a key point, it has to happen before we do anything about it. Using a not particularly attention catching reactive word just prompts people to "wait and see", you never know the effects might not be that bad and we will have expended all that effort for nothing.
Maybe I am wrong but although it is a whole lot more confronting, possibly because it is a whole lot more confronting I personally prefer "climate chaos". I do think it is a lot more descriptive of the situation the science is presenting.... it really isn't just a simple equation where you add +3C to your local minimum and maximum temperatures and I find although that understanding is starting to evolve within the wider community that has been the generally held "folk wisdom" up until recently.
There is actually part of me that hesitates to use this phrase though. It is quite a confronting idea and I do believe trying to scare people into action is more often than not counter productive. In that vein I find myself stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to talking about this issue.. do I use the words that I believe communicate more clearly the flow on effects or do I use the more generally accepted, politically correct version that part of me believes perpetuates the problems we are currently seeing in relation to community participation on this issue.
Do you think I am totally insane and just splitting hairs to amuse myself?
What do you use and what type of reception do you get?
6 comments:
Hi Belinda, you mentioned almost in passing the phrase 'politically correct'.
As I understand it the phrase 'Climate Change',as opposed to 'Global Warming', (much more scarier apparently) came about politically (speach writerd, spin doctors etc.) to (pardon the pun) take some of the heat out of the discussion. Or make politicians feel more comfortable.
I say Global Warming you say climate chaos, whichever as long as it turns up (pun intended) the heat on the topic.
Topic sounds a bit soft um how about unnatural catastrophe.
I reckon that Stewart is on to something there. Climate chaos (I prefer to use Climate Crisis) are definitely better terms and invoke a sense of emergency!
Gav
Hi Stewart,
I did know that the change wording in the global media the 80's (I think it was but it's way to hot to bother to check) was driven by politically based agenda's.
I will say though that I also deliberately steer away from global warming just because I find it feeds the "Oh well, what's a few degrees" mentality.
Although it is becoming less so until recently very few have got close to understanding the implications of how those "few degrees" may ripple through and tilt stability of the entire climate system.
Oh I think we should lay responsibility at the correct door I think "Human Induced Climate Catastrophe" might just fit the ... Let try and scare them to death bill.
Hi Gav,
I will certainly think about "Climate Crisis" as it is a phrase that should evoke proactive responses possibly without the same level of "Oh, God we're doomed" that chaos might provoke.
I have to say though that part of me really resonates with the word Chaos in this context simply because in my head it pictures the wild swings and unpredictability within the climate system.
Thanks to both of you for the food for thought.
Kind Regards
Belinda
The wild swings are exactly why I don't like "global warming". Look at the unusual cold storms in the Midwest and Northeast right now. There are folks who say that's proof that there is no global warming.
I like climate chaos and climate crisis, although crisis could sound temporary. "Let's get through this crisis and we'll be fine."
Keep in mind, though, that I don't give a whit about being p.c. or not scaring people. People need to be bleepin' scared. Change is a-comin' and they better get ready! :)
I think Climate Crisis is the best term. With the term global warming, I think people understand the planet is getting hotter, but really don't get that this is an issue. And yes, climate chaos will have people isolating those concerned as nutters.
Climate crisis makes it clear this is an issue we need to face, but also still indicates that somethnig can be done to avert said crisis.
Hi Chile,
Thanks for your thoughts and I agree with your qualms about using crisis. That said at a gut level I am concerned about the impact of the word chaos. Like you I am not a person that cares much about political correctness. In my case it is more about individual and group psychology. From this perspective I have to admit that I have started to become very wary of "scare them enough and they will act" education process that the environmental movement has historically used as I find it generally has very unsatisfactory results.
That said I don't believe in making out it's all going to be fairies and unicorns. Treading the fine line between concerned motivation and frozen solid scared is what makes me so focused on what message I am actually sending.
Hi GoingFeral(ish),
Thanks for lending your voice.
I have to say that although I don't feel it is the most precise in the descriptive sense I am thinking it is probably the best for keeping open communication channels.
Ah, well back to think some more.
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