What's In A Name?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12. 2.07
Thomas L. Friedman of the New York Times is an optimist but notes that we do not have a lot of time do deal with climate change. He also suggests that the names we use do not conjure an image of what is likely to happen:
"And sweet-sounding “global warming” doesn’t really capture what’s likely to happen. I prefer the term “global weirding,” coined by Hunter Lovins, co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute, because the rise in average global temperature is going to lead to all sorts of crazy things — from hotter heat spells and droughts in some places, to colder cold spells and more violent storms, more intense flooding, forest fires and species loss in other places." ::NYTimes
Wayne Roberts of Now Magazine is a pessimist.
He suggests that climate change is no longer human created; it is now out of control.
"it is no longer true that human activity determines the major ups and downs of climate change. Natural momentum now follows its own rules. It appears we have entered a new paradigm, where the language of "climate chaos'' and "global starving'' is replacing "global warming'' - a phrase that should be shunned as climatically incorrect and Eurocentric."
He continues, explaining his logic:
" We have had 20 years of lost opportunities as the world waited for a scientific consensus and squandered tie. Now these reports seem like an empty victory. An extended phase of once-preventable destruction is now a done deal, thanks to patterns of nature that are no longer possible for humans to prevent.
A series of what ecologists call "feedback loops" predetermine a chilling picture of climate change. Ice and snow that used to reflect back heat from the sun's rays are being replaced by open dark waters that absorb heat like pavement on a sizzling summer day.
Northern permafrost that once kept ancient bogs in deep freeze is thawing, releasing methane that is over 20 times more heat-trapping than carbon dioxide. Warm air evaporates more water from oceans, and humidity holds heat much longer than drier air." ::Now
So what should we call it? send in your suggestions and we will run a survey.
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As I finished reading this post, the TV was on in the living room and a comedian was finishing up his bit. He ended with a good joke, then said "That's my time. Thanks." It seemed poignant.
That's our time. Thanks.
As I finished reading this post, the TV was on in the living room and a comedian was finishing up his bit. He ended with a good joke, then said "That's my time. Thanks." It seemed poignant.
Nomenlature might be moot, but if you're looking for an exit line...
That's our time. Thanks.
If we have "global weirding" does that mean we also have "climate strange"?
I happen to agree that global warming as the nomenclature doesn't carry the weight that perhaps it needs to. Especially in Northern States, many greet the baseline understanding of the concept with "Great! I could use with a little more sun."
How about "climate cataclysm" or "global warping"?
Definitely climate chaos
I like 'Climate Chaos', technically I really dislike it, and wish it didn't have to be named, but in reality I think it captures what we are facing.
Quite simply - it's the Apocalypse; the true meaning of the word, religion aside. Apocalypse originally meant "the lifting of the veil". This is the age when humans will finally get a grasp of the havoc we've wreaked - not just through global warming, but (to use Leo D's words) - it's a convergence of crises.
Meh. Climate change will simply result in a reloction and/or size reduction of certain populations and a restructuring of some economies. Unsustainable or poorly located communities will become Atlantises, so what? Many civilizations disappeared from a failure to adapt (e.g. Aztecs)
On the radio this morning some Inuit were whining about how climate change is affecting their lands and eliminating the ice roads that are used to truck them their groceries in the winter. Uh, HOW ABOUT MOVING, or give up on your need for beer and lettuce in the winter!? Adapt, don't whine.
Toxins, waste, and soil defertilization are the serious issues, not climate change.