It's Only Words and Words Are All I Have?

Jonathan Freedland poses the question "The planet is burning. Why is humanity failing to act? (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jul/14/big-oil-climate-crisis-fossil-fuel-public). Freedland's answer is that the fossil fuel companies have been so much better at 'communications', than the scientists. In three years, the five largest fossil fuel companies have spent more than $1bn on communications and lobbying. It's spare cash to them. Their basic message (using slick PR companies and 'bribeable' politicians) has been that a) we can't be sure the climate crisis is real; b) if it is happening, it may not be especially serious and c) you all still need us (I added 'c'). That message has been very effective. For example, only about 14% of Americans, understand there's a 90% consensus amongst climate scientists that human-caused global warming is happening. Freedland also takes a shot at the language of the scientists. Friedland maintains that 'global warming' sounds too cosy. 'Climate change' is too vague.'Climate justice' just confuses, because the public link it to the police and courts. Friedland advocates scientists getting more PR savvy. He supports starting to describe e.g. the 'greenhouse effect' as "a blanket of pollution, trapping heat on Earth". That does sound more impactful. Scientists, however, are trained to stick to the facts. Our planet would be too cold, without the long-established 'greenhouse gas effect'. Some of that 'pollution' is needed for photosynthesis and life on Earth. What's actually happening is that human-generated emissions have intensified the 'greenhouse' effect to the extent that it now endangers human existence. It's all a question of balance! Freedland also questions the 'enlightenment fallacy', where progressives hope the facts will speak for themselves. There's a lot of such facts (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/14/health-alerts-blistering-heat-scorches-southern-europe and https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jul/14/us-west-extreme-temperatures-heatwave-weather). Freedland still thinks, however, that serious donors are needed to enable the scientists to counter the fossil fuel advocates. They would have to have pretty deep pockets! Scientists would also have to be prepared to trade impact for absolute accuracy.