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illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Grist or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: New research suggests that the terminology used to describe climate change, such as "climate emergency" or "global boiling," doesn't significantly increase public concern
• Despite efforts to use more dramatic language, people are already sufficiently worried about climate change
🔭 The context: The study from the University of Southern California found that traditional terms like "climate change" and "global warming" still resonate more with the public than newer, more urgent phrases
• This suggests that people may be more influenced by concrete actions and narratives than by specific terminology
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The focus on dramatic climate language might be less effective than providing clear, actionable solutions that people can relate to and implement in their daily lives, which could drive more meaningful climate action
⏭️ What's next: Future climate communication may need to emphasize practical steps and collective action over trying to reframe the conversation with new terminology
• Building a sense of shared responsibility and showing tangible ways to contribute could be more impactful
💬 One quote: "The thing is, a lot of people are already concerned about climate change, so worrying about the word for ‘climate change’ is probably not the key way forward to motivate people," said Wändi Bruine de Bruin, the study’s lead author
📈 One stat: Around 70% of U.S. residents expressed concern about "climate change" and "global warming," compared to only 48% for "climate justice"
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