Words We Use
The newsletter for professionals cautiously approaching the discussion about climate, but pretty sure they should.
Issue Number : 1
Say the word climate and you’ll get very different results, largely depending on to whom you speak. Some folks will assume you’re talking about the type of temperature in an area. “What’s the climate like in Wyoming this time of year?" Other people will guess that you’re referencing the comfort of an indoor space. “How do we keep the climate at 72 degrees in this office?”Certainly, there are people who think you’re talking about the weather. “The climate in Indiana is often beautiful with low humidity during June.” You might even offend some people by simply using the word ‘climate’! Or some may assume they know your voting record because you’ve uttered the word. “That’s a topic for left-wing people that are of only one political party.” But you may make fast friends with others and be seen as a better human for saying it: “If you’re into climate, you must practice sustainability and care about the planet more than other people.”
Interestingly, some people quickly indicate they believe climate now is synonymous with ‘crisis’ while others swear that they don’t believe in climate (change, that is) but take offense to being called a ‘climate change denier’.
Saying ‘climate’ these days seems to be a risk that can automatically put in you one category or another, depending on the audience. For sure, it seems to never be neutral; some want to jump into a long conversation about the topic and express their views while others will look uncomfortable and find any excuse to change the subject or leave the conversation!
All of this over a word that describes the environment that we all inhabit...
The real reason you get so many different reactions (and definitions) about the same word is that it’s become politicized. Frankly, that’s too bad and it’s not at all helpful. Besides, why should one word be deemed negative or ‘belonging’ to one set of factions when, as you just read, it has many different uses and associations?
For the purposes of this newsletter, we’ll define climate conversations as those related to things including, but not yet limited to:
Sustainability
Environment
GHG emissions, reduction, sequestration
Voluntary carbon markets
And probably more, but you get the idea.
Yes, I’m going to touch on touchy subjects, but I aim to do that in a way that makes you think and consider concepts that could be concerning, helpful, or at least interesting.
So, with that, welcome to my new newsletter, Climate Conversations, where I’ll endeavor to start ‘at the beginning’ with interviews, insights, conversations, commentary, education, and exposure to new ideas all without greenwashing (Wait! What is that? I guess it's another term for another day).
I’m doing this because I think there are practical solutions to climate-related topics that can be achieved when people open up to collaboration and close the door on politized rhetoric. I’m involved in the agriculture and energy industries, sectors where people often shy away from this topic for fear of not knowing just how to effectively address it. No more. Our industries are essential to life and offer incredible solutions to concerns – at whatever level you believe in – about the environment. In Climate Conversations, we’re taking back the word “climate” from being considered a one-sided POV and returning it to a neutral word defining a broad and important topic that affects us all. Wish me luck!