Laser Talk: Simplifying Our Messaging

This article, Climate, Net Zero and Other Words You Must Stop Using, by Mark Campbell was brought to our attention by Cathy P. in Calgary. It has great ideas on simpler words/phrases for “climate-related” language that can be very confusing for some folks.

This and other climate messaging suggestions can be found below or here in our Talk Effectively About Climate Change laser talk!

Environment = natural world or our surroundings
Climate = dangerous increase in extreme weather
Extreme Weather = record-breaking wildfires, flooding, and droughts happening now
Rising Sea Levels = hundreds of thousands of homes lost on low-lying islands
Global Warming = warmer atmosphere holding more water, causing heavy rainfalls and flash floods
Biodiversity = all life on Earth, or the wide variety of plants and animals
Sustainability = living in a way that protects natural resources and ensures a better future
Carbon Footprint = our impact on the planet
Greenhouse Gases = heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide
Fossil Fuels = coal, oil, and gas
Renewable Energy = endless energy sources
Net Zero = balancing emissions to zero
Deforestation = cutting down forests for farming, logging, or development
Desertification = turning land into desert due to human-caused climate change
Habitat Loss = animals losing their homes and the destruction of nature
Rewilding = bringing back nature
Circular Economy = recycling and reusing everything
Biodegradable = materials breaking down naturally without leaving plastics or lasting harm
Coral Bleaching = dying coral reefs due to warming waters
Desalination = making saltwater drinkable to save lives
Carbon Sequestration = storing carbon underground
Bioplastics = plastics made from plants
Just Transition = fair shift to green jobs for workers and communities
Sustainable Fashion = plastic-free clothing to avoid shedding microplastics