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  • What's in a name?

    By G. Rendell August 28, 2008 5:33 pm

    For some time now, I've been uncomfortable with the term "global warming". Not that it's in any way inaccurate, just that the term "warming" doesn't sound particularly threatening. At least, not around here. After all, my grandfather used to say that we got two seasons -- July and winter. "Warming" can sound a lot like a good thing.

    But the alternative was "climate change". Not quite so positive -- on the face of it -- as "warming", but pretty neutral. Unless I take the Panglossian position that everything is for the best in this the best of all possible climates, the idea of "change" seems to admit of as many positive possibilities as negative ones. (And as for the status quo being the best of all possible climates, please refer to my grandfather, op cit.) Still not particularly threatening.

    This week, I stumbled upon a reference to a thinker I respect referring to the problem as "global destabilization". Sounds kind of like the earth's axis is getting all wobbly, no? Threatening, for sure. But so extreme, so hard to envision, as not to be useful. (Whether the earth's axis has shifted in the past is irrelevant. The image is so extreme as to invoke incredulity. Not one of my favorite reactions.)

    Still, I'm thinking that a combination of the above might just fit. "Climate destabilization" seems pretty close. "Global climate destabilization" might be over-threatening, but does drive home the idea that international cooperation is an absolute requirement.

    Anybody got a better formulation?

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Comments on What's in a name?

  • Posted by Xis Ortigueira on August 28, 2008 at 8:35pm EDT

  • Justin Jackson, co-host of the radio program "This week in science", from KDVS at UC-Davis, has come up with the term climydia. Well, I don't know if he spells it that way or as chlimydia. His point is similar to yours. Global warming sounds too mild. Let's make it sound like an infectious disease related to the climate and perhaps people will take it more seriously. I do like the term a lot.

  • Global Warming: More summer months?
  • Posted by Josh Michael , Student Regent at University System of Maryland on August 29, 2008 at 1:10pm EDT

  • As a student in Maryland, many of my friends are accustomed to warm summer months and cold winter months. Most prefer the summer and the opportunity to hang out at the beach.

    So, to some, the concept of "global warming" is not only neutral at first thought, but positive! While tongue in cheek, many of my friends joke of extending the summer months with the on-setting global warming.

    The concept of global destabilization or climate destabilization is much more real, and quite frankly, accurate in the conversation. In this context, all generations can come together and realize that we are putting our very existence at a significant risk by destabilizing the sustainability of our environment.

    I speak some of the need for inclusion of "GreenEd" in the general education curriculum in my USMstudents (http://USMstudents.blogspot.com) blog for students at public institutions in Maryland.

  • Getting to Green
  • Posted by Kathy on September 2, 2008 at 2:55pm EDT

  • I've heard the term "climate disruption" ... does that sound threatening enough?

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