Thermageddon anyone?

Posted by: Ed Gillespie

We spend a lot of out time talking climate change lingo, words that work or indeed 'Words that sell'. This week I did a short interview with BBC Radio 4's 'Word of Mouth' programme which was exploring the language of climate change - as well as the rather weirdly beautiful whistling language of the Canary Islands (not drunken bar-room wolf type whistling either I hasten to add). Along with environmental journalist Robert Butler and Green MEP Caroline Lucas we all put our twopennorth in on the best and worst aspects of the words we're using to articulate the challenge. Seth 'Purple Cow' Godin apparently suggests we'd get a rather different response if we referred to 'atmosphere cancer' (I'm not a fan of that one I have to say) and Amory Lovins' likes ' Global weirding' which at least captures the uncertainty and unpredictability of likley impacts and effects. Our Germanic brethren apparently opt for 'Klima Katastropha' (climate disaster)...but my favourite was still 'Thermageddon' - coming soon to a landscape near you (well hopefully not). You can listen to the programme by clicking here.

1. Casper said on 27 Aug 2008 13:02:59
   
   Ah, beloved Clarkson...
2. Jeff Melnyk said on 27 Aug 2008 15:59:01
   
   I can't believe you have just publicly criticised the doctrine of our master, Seth.

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