A conversation about local weather in Seattle—it was colder this winter than last—turned into a lively debate about climate change and its good friend global warming. During conversations about the environment, I have observed some people refer to the former while others the later. Sometimes, they are used interchangeably.
The terms are related, but different. Climate change generally refers to any long-term change in the patterns of average weather of a specific region or the Earth as a whole. Global warming refers to the increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation.
During conversations (caffeinated or not) about issues such as climate change/global warming, it is common for strong disagreements to emerge because a shared common language is lacking. When you observe this happening, considering taking a step back and discuss the terms at hand. If the subject is climate change/global warming, the following are a few questions that could be asked:
- What does climate change mean to you?
- What does global warming mean to you?
- How does climate change and global warming differ?
The conversation that follows won’t necessarily reshape opinions, but at least everyone will be on the same page in terms of how the key words are understood.
One Comment
Word up man! I feel the same way, sure we have messed this place up but as bad as everyone is being brain washed into thinking.The Earth is just going through the same cycles it always has, the only diff. is we are around to see it and cocky enough to believe we had something to do with it. And don’t even get me started on Earth day, hell it should be human day, because the Earth will be here long after we are gone!