TED Talks Daily How to talk about climate change so people actually care | John Marshall
Apr 22, 2021
John Marshall, a communications strategist, challenges listeners to rethink climate change discussions. He emphasizes the power of language, suggesting that terms like 'pollution blanket overheating planet' resonate more than 'global warming.' Marshall advocates for relatable metaphors and personal stories to bridge the gap between scientific jargon and public understanding. By connecting climate issues to personal identity and community values, he inspires urgent action through engaging and accessible communication.
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Simplify Language
- Use plain language, avoiding jargon like "net zero" or "anthropogenic".
- Opt for vivid, relatable terms like "pollution blanket" instead of "carbon emissions".
Vividness Gap
- Many people confuse climate change with the ozone hole due to its relatable "hole" metaphor.
- Climate language lacks this vividness, hindering understanding.
Pollution Blanket Metaphor
- The "pollution blanket" metaphor effectively explains climate change to a wider audience.
- It visually represents how pollution traps heat and leads to extreme weather events.