The Many Words Of Climate Change

COP27 in Sharm El-Sheik this year sees delegates from all over the world coming together to discuss a truly global issue, meaning that people from all sorts of cultural backgrounds and with different native languages are gathered in one place. This raises the question: is the language of climate the same everywhere, and how do certain phrases translate between different languages?

COP27 also marks the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a milestone that offers a chance to reflect on the way we talk, and write, about climate change and the connected issues — and how this has evolved alongside our deepening understanding of the climate crisis. 

The climate crisis is a multifaceted issue, and different countries and cultures tend to focus on the aspects that have the biggest impact on their lived experience. By studying phrases in different languages used in relation to the climate crisis, we can gain insight into which environmental issues are most emphasised in different nations.

Truly understanding a second language means understanding that not everything is directly comparable — concepts may exist in one language that are not so easy to express in another. The cultural, political and economic context has a major impact on the terms that enter into common use, with the media also playing an influential role in shaping the conversation around climate issues. 

Experts from around Europe and the USA have shared their insights regarding the words different languages use to discuss climate change.

Some trends emerge, with nearby countries sharing similar concepts: for instance, both Norway and Finland have words expressing the environmental shame some people might feel over participating in airline travel.

As British English has shifted from the more neutral-sounding “global warming” to “global heating” to express the urgency of climate change, it’s significant that some countries — like Greece, which has seen wildfires and extreme heat as a result of temperature changes — go a step further and talk about the “overheating” of the planet, with more obviously negative connotations.

It is not only activists and media driving the conversation, however, but also those who are on the skeptical side of the debate, which is evident in terms like the Italian Gretini used ironically by critics of Greta Thunberg to refer to those who support her views. Furthermore, many languages now have words to express a sense of despair or anxiety associated with the climate crisis, showing that concern about the future is having a broad impact on mental wellbeing.

Susan Joy Hassol, a climate change communicator, analyst and author, also shares her predictions for how the language surrounding the climate crisis will evolve over the coming crucial years, and in what ways she hopes language will evolve to better represent and educate the public on the problems at hand.

Dutch

Dr. Anke Wonneberger, Assistant Professor in Communication Science at the University of Amsterdam, shared the following terms:

• Kliimaatschade — climate damage

• Vergroening — “greening” of sectors

The “greening” of sectors is an important term here referring to ambitions and initiatives. This term clearly gained momentum in 2021. 

French

Pauline Bureau, a PhD candidate in applied linguistics (University of Grenoble Alpes) and board member of the think tank La Fabrique Écologique, shared the following terms:

• La sobriété — restraint 

The term (la) sobriété is omnipresent in the media recently. It was popularised by the philosopher Pierre Rabhi through the compound la sobriété heureuse, which referred to a value system organized around living a “simpler” life in order to limit one’s impact on the environment. Today it is used in political debates to encourage people to reduce their energy consumption so as to avoid energy shortages, while also being presented as a tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It triggers a lot of debate, as people tend to interpret this concept as a form of restriction and policing, thus triggering questions of responsibility and (climate) equity at the level of the country.

• La sobriété énergétique — energy restraint

Used to invite households, companies, etc. to reduce their energy consumption.

• La sobriété numérique — digital restraint

Akin to la sobriété énergétique, but it targets more specifically the emissions related to technological devices and their use, highlighting forms of emissions that have so far been highly overlooked, as they tend to be less obviously visible. This concept brings to the fore emissions related both to the production of energy required to power these devices, and to the production and recycling of the objects themselves.

• La sobriété volontaire — voluntary restraint

Associated with individuals’ behaviour, a change in mindset of those who intentionally choose to reduce their overall consumption (usually as a form of climate action).

Finnish

Jari Lyytimäki, leading researcher, Finnish Environment Institute, shared the following: 

• Lentohäpeä — flight-shame

Feeling bad about flying due to the environmental impact.

• Vihreä siirtymä — green transition 

Can be used with either positive or negative connotations to talk about the move away from reliance on fossil fuels.

• Ilmastohumpp — climate oompah 

Referring to a traditional Finnish folk dance and music similar to foxtrot, humppa, this phrase is used by critics of those who advocate for measures to address climate change, who think that making changes to address the climate crisis is nonsense.

• Luontokato — nature deficit

A layperson’s term for “biodiversity loss.”

German

Dr. Anke Wonneberger, Assistant Professor in Communication Science at the University of Amsterdam, shared the following terms:

• Klimagerechtigkeit — climate justice 

There has been an increase in the use of the term “climate justice” since 2016, with a clear peak in the previous year. In both countries, climate justice gained momentum in the context of the Fridays for Future protests. 

• Klimaschutz — climate protection

Since about 2005, there has been increasing discussion about climate protection, which is mainly used in the context of (political and private) mitigation action. 

• Klimafreundlich — climate-friendly

Used very often to refer to effective actions or measures. 

Greek

Prof. Iosif Botetzagias, University of the Aegean, Department of Environment, shared the following:

• Υπερθέρμανση του πλανήτη (i-per-ther-man-si tu pla-ni-ti) — overheating of the planet 

This Greek term for global warming literally translates to “overheating.”

• Αποτύπωμα Άνθρακα (pron: a-po-ti-po-ma an-thra-ka) — carbon imprint

The Greek term for “carbon footprint.”

• Μεταλλαγμένα (me-ta-lla-gme-na) — mutated

Often used in place of ΓΤΟ (GMO) to refer to genetically modified crops, foods, etc. 

Italian

Simone Borghesi, Director FSR Climate – European University Institute, Professor of Economics, University of Siena, Italy, and President Elect EAERE – European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, shared the following: 

• Eco-ansia — ecological anxiety

Increasing concern for the consequences of the ongoing environmental crisis.

• Gretini — Greta’s followers

Ironic and pejorative neologism used (especially by climate change deniers) to refer to Greta Thunberg’s followers. The term is a riff on the word cretino (cretinuous, idiot, stupid) and is used as a synonym for this, but in the context of climate change.

• Fondamentalismo climatico — climate fundamentalism

Pejorative term used to refer to supporters of climate policies.

• Isola ecologica — ecological island 

Recycling centre. 

Norwegian

Andreas Ytterstad, Professor of Media and Communication studies at Oslo Metropolitan University, shared the following terms:

• Grønne skifte — green shift

An all-encompassing term with no precise definition. Includes the continual process of reducing emissions and shifting towards more environmentally friendly fuels and ways of living.  

• Oljeskam — oil shame

Feeling shame over Norwegian oil.

• Flyskam — flight shame 

Feeling shame over flying, due to the environmental impact. 

Dr. Erlend Moster Knudsen, Deputy Director at Pole to Paris, shared the following terms:

• Klimarisiko — climate risk

• Mistilpasning — maladaptation

This term refers to the negative consequences that can be caused down the line after a measure has been put in place to deal with an immediate climate issue. For example, if a government builds a sea wall to prevent the damage caused by sea level rises, this could in the future enable populations to live closer and closer to this wall.  In the future, this could lead to negative environmental and social consequences.

• Naturbaserte løsninger — nature-based solutions

This term refers to the focus on solutions that fund projects to revitalize the nature that has been destroyed by humans. In Norway, the government has been in talks regarding a new “Nature Budget,” which will outlaw damage and destruction to nature and wildlife without funding a project that replenishes it elsewhere. 

Polish

Marta Kwaśniewska, Linguistics Doctoral Student Specialising In Climate Change Communication at Jan Kochanowski University

• Depresja klimatyczna — Climate depression

This expression has become increasingly prevalent in the media over the past few years. It is a term that helps emphasise the fact that anyone can be seriously impacted by the climate crisis, and it can cause severe and real consequences for people. This is especially important for people downplaying the climate crisis because its consequences are not tangible to them. 

• Sami siebie zabijamy / wyginiemy — We kill ourselves / we will die out

The term makes use of more dramatic, shocking language in order to have greater impact on the reader/listener. Provoking fear can better motivate individuals, organisations and governments to take action. The phrase also puts an emphasis on the severe consequences the climate crisis will have on every individual. 

• Klimat to świecka religia — Climate is a secular religion

This is a metaphor that is used frequently by the Polish conservative media. Different aspects of religions are referred to, most frequently to portray climate activism in a negative manner, suggesting that people who participate in climate action are followers (it is implied that they are naïve or not objective enough) of climate action leaders. The general aim is to discriminate and undermine the gravity of the problem.

• Ratować/uratować klimat — Save climate

In perfect and imperfect form, the mechanism is similar to the one in the expression fight for climate. This prioritizes positive motivation.

Spanish

Maria Gemma Alonso, Professor at the Information Science Communication Faculty of the Complutense University of Madrid, Coordinator of Climate Change Social Communication Observatory, shared the following:

• Colapsistas* 

Colapsistas is a term adopted as a label identifying those who believe reducing consumption is the only way to avoid a complete climate collapse. Invoking the term “collapse,” Colapsistas is not a term well-liked by those who fall under this category, preferring the term decrecentistas, which means in essence “those who believe in reducing consumption as the main way to solve the climate crisis.”

• Tecno-optimistas*

This is a label referring to those who believe that with technology, i.e. renewable energy, hydrogen batteries, etc., we can find a solution to the climate crisis without the need for lifestyle changes.

• Solastalgia or ecoansiedad — environmentally-induced stress

These terms come from psychologist Susan Clayton, who speaks about the psychological effects of climate change and natural disasters. Solastalgia is a concept developed to give greater meaning and clarity to environmentally induced distress. A distinction can be made between solastalgia, linked to distress about what is in the process of negatively perceived change, and eco-anxiety, linked to what may happen in the future.

*These two terms are most often used in media debates to pit one side against the other.

British English

Luisa Melloh, Research Assistant at Climate Outreach, provided the following:

• Climate emergency

• Climate crisis

• Climate catastrophe

• Climate collapse

The increasing urgency, both in terms of the impact and speed of climate change, is reflected in the steep rise in frequency of these terms being used in the UK since about 2018. Whilst the term “climate change” is still the most prevalent, its use has somewhat levelled off in recent years in favour of the terms above. Whilst these terms convey the urgency of the crisis, Climate Outreach research based on the 7 British segments shows that their effectiveness in engaging UK audiences and motivating them to act is limited. Especially among centre-right audiences with more traditional values, these phrases have the potential to be associated with left-wing activist environmentalism and can be off-putting to people who do not identify with that segment of society. 

• Just Transition

• Green jobs

• Green recovery

These terms are most often used to communicate about climate policies that benefit economic growth and the creation of jobs, especially for workers currently in carbon intensive industries to move to the renewables sector. However, earlier this year, research by Climate Outreach found that ideas of what makes a transition just or fair vary for more widely among different parts of the UK population than communicators often assume and are closely tied to people’s underlying values and worldviews. Further, the UK public is very attuned to hypocrisy and lack of authenticity surrounding promises of a Just Transition or “green” jobs, emphasising the need to clarify what these terms stand for.

Predictions For 2023 And Beyond

Susan Joy Hassol, Director of Climate Communication (Climatecommunication.org), a non-profit dedicated to improving public understanding of climate change science and solutions, provided her insights on where she predicts (and hopes) language relating to the climate crisis will go in 2023 and beyond. New and improved terms include:

• UNnatural disasters 

Instead of the term “natural disaster” so often used to illustrate the climate disasters that are on the rise due to human causes, unnatural disaster is a term which is expected to grow in use as these extreme weather events get increasingly more difficult to ignore.

• Carbon shadow

Instead of carbon footprint, “carbon shadow” is a term that encompasses not only personal consumption, but also how an individual contributes to climate change or takes action to reduce it, for example how an individual votes, participates in climate activism, where they spend and invest their money, and so on. 

• Heat trapping pollution

A phrase to use instead of “carbon emissions” to make the negative impact of emissions clearer. According to Susan, connecting climate change with something visceral and dangerous brings more immediacy to a problem that’s often seen as unfolding far away or in the future, even though it’s causing suffering now.

Susan Joy Hassol comments: “Words matter because they can shape our perceptions, beliefs, and behaviour. In the policy realm, they guide decisions and actions. In the effort to tackle climate change, it’s important that we use language as effectively as possible to engage the public and move policies at every level quickly, because failure is not an option.”