From The Conversation · Gale Sinatra · · 1m 10s
Simple language works better for climate
Americans care more about climate change than climate crisis or emergency.
In brief
Americans care more about climate change than climate crisis or emergency. Using familiar terms like climate change and global warming increases concern and action among Americans. Originally reported by The Conversation.
Americans prefer simple terms
A survey of 5,137 Americans shows they are more familiar with and concerned about climate change and global warming than climate crisis or climate emergency.
Overheated terms backfire
Terms like climate crisis and climate emergency increase familiarity but not urgency or action among Americans.
Climate justice is least familiar
Climate justice is the least familiar term among all options, likely because it is the least familiar.
Partisan differences faded
Past partisan differences in how climate change and global warming were perceived have now faded among Republicans, Democrats and independents.
Experts use jargon they don't understand
Experts often use complex terms like adaptation and mitigation because they are familiar to them but not to the public.
Climate change vs global warming
Climate change refers to overall climate changes while global warming refers specifically to rising temperatures.
Recommendation for clarity
Use familiar terms like climate change for overall changes and global warming for rising temperatures to increase public understanding.
The headline
Using familiar terms like climate change and global warming increases concern and action among Americans.
