Climate Action

In teaching creative writing to elementary students, I learned that one of the six traits of excellent writing is Word Choice. Finding the best words can help clarify a concept, add dazzle to a mundane topic, or help discover common ground. Using different words to express nearly the same thing can significantly impact the way people feel and respond. So it is no surprise that some words we use to write or talk about climate disruption either encourage collaboration or antagonize people - depending on their political inclination.

Liberals have historically been seen as championing the transition to an all electric future so opposition arises spontaneously in our polarized nation. In addition, due to the many years of misinformation sown by the fossil fuel industry, many citizens doubt climate change and human responsibility for the problem.

Several words alienate rather than build accord such as climate change, global warming, electrification, and decarbonization. These are among the most objectionable.

Whereas words that emphasize the benefits of the transition to a fossil free future might help elicit collaboration. Most citizens can find agreement in phrases such as the creation of hundreds of thousands of clean energy jobs, the restoration of biodiversity, the protection of forests, or enabling oceans and wetlands to recover, or rebuilding our native prairies.

Finally, you might use the words climate protection or protecting your family to appeal to skeptics. Using the phrase protect the climate you grew up with so you can pass it down to your grandchildren may help develop common ground.