A style guide for the Climate and Ecological Crisis
The terms global warming and climate change are often used interchangeably, but neither adequately reflects the emergency we now face.
Instead, media outlets should use climate crisis or climate emergency to refer to the ongoing breakdown of the environment and the societal collapse that will occur if we do not mitigate this crisis. Catastrophic climate destabilization is also acceptable. Do not use the terms climate change or global warming.
Attribute single occurrences to climate change, even in the event that scientists have not published an established connection. Stories about individual events should make it clear that they occur within a larger context. For example, a story about cherry blossoms budding early should be written about in the context of global heating and the climate crisis.
Climate Science Denier, Climate Denier
Do not use the terms climate skeptic, climate doubter, or person who rejects mainstream science. These terms are half-hearted and do not adequately describe people who reject scientific data. Qualifiers such as mainstream should not be used to describe these people. Instead, use the terms climate science denier or climate denier.
Global Heating
When referring to the act of global warming, use the phrase global heating instead. People are already dying from deadly heat, and fatalities will only increase. No one is dying from “deadly warmth.”
Wildlife, The Living World
Do not use the term biodiversity. This term is too abstract. Instead, use wildlife or the living world to describe animals and plants. The phrase loss of biodiversity should become the destruction of the living/natural world.
Clean Fuel
Ethanol-treated fossil fuels are not ‘clean’. Instead, use the terms fossil fuel or petroleum-based fuel. Natural gas should become dirty gas or fracked gas.
Upholding the Five Principles of Journalism
Do not publish statements that cast doubt on the scientific consensus that a catastrophic climate and ecological crisis is underway and driven by human activity. Do not print the opinions of writers who cast doubt on the scientific consensus about this crisis and the impacts of the climate emergency.