Push for Terminology Change: Climate Change
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Definition and the Problem
The term ‘climate change’ refers to “long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.” Some find this problematic because people use this term to argue that climate change is a natural process and the planet’s warming, increasingly extreme weather events, etc. are not caused by human activity. The term “global warming” also has the same problem with an additional issue: climate deniers use to cold weather to try and discredit the concept. Remember when Senator James Inofe brought a snowball into Congress as proof that global warming was a hoax? Some also find ‘climate change’ problematic because it’s too neutral and doesn’t elicit an emotional response.
Alternatives
As translators (and interpreters), we are sometimes bound by guidelines or client requirements to use certain terms, that’s just a fact of our profession. Yet we also have the power to change the way we discuss an issue in our target language. We can advise or suggest, or even insist, our clients use terms that better reflect the feelings, representation, or cause involved. This blog series isn’t meant to disparage the usage of a certain term; it’s meant to present terms that (many) people find problematic and some potential alternatives.
In this case, “climate change” is a well-established term: the term is still frequently used in the news and research literature. However, there are alternatives for those who wish to shift to a different term. Many champion one these three: (1) climate crisis, (2) climate emergency, and (3) climate breakdown.
These terms elicit the urgency and seriousness that scientists want to inspire in people to prevent catastrophic changes in our climate. A study conducted by SPARK Neuro found that “hearing ‘climate crisis’ generated at least 60 percent more of an emotional response in respondents than ‘climate change.’” It suggests immediate action, which is sorely needed these days.
Others caution using one of these terms because users could be accused of being alarmists. Joachim Wille also made a great point that “‘climate change’ should not be superseded by ‘climate crisis’ because crisis is understood as a temporary state, and while it may be far-reaching and long-lasting, it gives the impression that a return to normality is possible. That is already impossible.”