“For decades now, scientists have been warning us that extreme weather events will be exacerbated by this blanket of carbon pollution we’ve been wrapping around our planet,” said Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist at the Nature Conservancy.
I don’t know how I feel about framing carbon dioxide emissions as “pollution.” All this carbon has been in the atmosphere before, it’s just been trapped in the ground for hundreds of millions of years. There’s got to be a way to talk about that so low information people get it. They definitely don’t see carbon dioxide as pollution, since it’s intangible and a healthy portion of our atmosphere
I’m talking about changing minds. CO2 emissions have already been framed as pollution for decades, and that narrative has demonstrably failed to move the public consciousness. Just saying “oh it’s definitely pollution when there’s too much of it” is dismissive and will change zero minds, assuming that’s your goal here.
so you think NOT calling it pollution is going to change minds? what are you arguing for exactly?
the problem is not people getting hung up on CO2 being labeled as “pollution”, that’s silly. the problem is people are in denial because they don’t want to change their carefree 20th century lifestyles.
I don’t know how I feel about framing carbon dioxide emissions as “pollution.” All this carbon has been in the atmosphere before, it’s just been trapped in the ground for hundreds of millions of years. There’s got to be a way to talk about that so low information people get it. They definitely don’t see carbon dioxide as pollution, since it’s intangible and a healthy portion of our atmosphere
When we add excessive amounts of it, it is definitely pollution. I think it’s time to start talking about it as such.
I’m talking about changing minds. CO2 emissions have already been framed as pollution for decades, and that narrative has demonstrably failed to move the public consciousness. Just saying “oh it’s definitely pollution when there’s too much of it” is dismissive and will change zero minds, assuming that’s your goal here.
so you think NOT calling it pollution is going to change minds? what are you arguing for exactly?
the problem is not people getting hung up on CO2 being labeled as “pollution”, that’s silly. the problem is people are in denial because they don’t want to change their carefree 20th century lifestyles.
Public consciousness has shifted dramatically over the last couple of decades… How would you demonstrate it?
It’s not just CO2, there are other carbon-based greenhouse gas pollutants like methane and CFCs.
Fully aware. Also, CO2 is the biggest problem, and addressing CO2 emissions will go a large way toward addressing gases like methane.
CFC emissions worldwide have dropped off a cliff since the 80s, and that can be viewed as a global success story we should emulate for CO2.
okay. the point is the term “carbon pollution” is valid. not even sure what you’re complaining about.
So an oil spill also isn’t pollution?