Qualitative
research has shown that the terms “global warming” and
“climate change” are not used synonymously. While
“climate change” may be more scientifically accurate, the term
is understood by non-experts in terms of geological time and
vast, complex, and natural processes. (The Bush
Administration uses the term "climate change.") People
understand “global warming,” by contrast, to mean the effects
of human activity on the climate.
When talking about global warming and advocating
for policy leading to reduction of carbon dioxide pollution,
language matters. Note the following observations and
recommendations.
• The problem is
"global warming," and it should be consistently referred
to as “global warming,” NOT as “climate
change.”
• The problem is caused by "global warming
pollutants" or "heat-trapping pollutants"
or "carbon dioxide pollution" or "emissions
of global warming pollution such as
CO2" –
NOT by “greenhouse gas emissions.” Do NOT
talk about “greenhouse gases” unless the
greenhouse effect is explained at the same time. Americans
associate greenhouses with food and flowers, and most
have never been in a greenhouse.
• The goal is "reducing global warming
pollution" and "reducing global warming," NOT “stopping
global warming,” and certainly NOT “climate
stability.” |
The foundational story behind global warming should be that
clean energy will lead the
way in reducing global warming pollution and global warming.
