Global warming and climate change—these are just some of the everyday terms we use to describe the environmental crisis that our planet is facing. But do these terms actually depict the reality of what is taking place? Are we not downplaying the issue with these soft-spoken terms?
This is a question that British newspaper The Guardian has been asking itself, which is why the publication has updated its style guide to introduce terms that more accurately describe the environmental crises we face. Instead of “climate change” the preferred terms are “climate emergency, crisis or breakdown” and “global heating” is favored over “global warming”, although the original terms are not banned. Other terms that have been updated, including the use of “wildlife” rather than “biodiversity”, “fish populations” instead of “fish stocks” and “climate science denier” rather than “climate skeptic”.
The idea is that these newly introduced terms allow for more scientific precision, while also “communicating clearly with readers on this very important issue.” Perhaps it will motivate other publications to do so as well, and wake up the public about the seriousness of climate change… um, no wait, climate emergency.
