A New Climate Vocabulary

Climate Emergency Forum welcomes Herb Simmens, author and planetarian, to discuss his book, “A Climate Vocabulary of the Future,” that emphasizes the need for accessible language and storytelling in the climate discourse.

This video was recorded on January 23rd, 2024, and published on February 11th, 2024.

The dialogue spans a comprehensive discussion on climate change communication, focusing on the importance of clear language and effective messaging. Regina, the host, sets the stage by highlighting the significance of “A Climate Vocabulary of the Future” to facilitate understanding and engagement. Herb Simmons, the author of “A Climate Vocabulary of the Future,” elaborates on his motivations and the content of his book, emphasizing the need for accessible language and storytelling in climate discourse.

The conversation extends to include Paul and Peter, who commend Herb’s efforts in simplifying climate terminology and making complex concepts understandable. They stress the urgency of communicating the critical findings of climate science, such as the IPCC’s warnings about the necessity of rapid emissions reduction to limit global warming. Paul underscores the power of words in conveying scientific knowledge and motivating action, referencing historical figures like Winston Churchill.

Peter emphasizes the importance of making climate science accessible, advocating for clear communication strategies such as using everyday language versions of scientific papers. The discussion touches on the role of organizations like the Potential Energy Coalition and Climate Emergency Action in disseminating climate information effectively.

Throughout the dialogue, there’s a consensus on the need for a unified and persistent effort to communicate the urgency of climate action. Herb’s book and the broader conversation underscore the crucial role of language in mobilizing public understanding and engagement in addressing the climate crisis. The participants express gratitude for Herb’s contributions and reaffirm their commitment to advancing climate communication efforts.

Links:

• Herb Simmens

• A Climate Vocabulary of the Future, Second Edition

• Eco Migration (CEF Video)

• Weather whiplash events in Europe and North America assessed as continental-scale atmospheric regime shifts

• Solar geoengineering

• Healthy Planet Action Coalition

• Tipping Points in the Climate Casino (CEF Video)

• Potential Energy Coalition

• Action for the Climate Emergency

Special Guest:

• Herb Simmens - has been a pathbreaker much of his life. He was the youngest county administrator in the county in Atlantic County, the award winner creator of New Jersey’s long range smart growth master plan in 2000 as Executive Director of the New Jersey’s State Planning Commission, and the leader of one of the first consortiums of higher education institutions to fight climate change in the early 2000’s.
  
  He’s also been a city manager, taught politics and urban planning at Stockton University and the New Jersey Institute of Technology, both in New Jersey, and owned and operated a wellness center in Washington, DC.
  
  Herb has degrees from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and international Affairs from Princeton He’s also studied at the London School of Economics.

Regular Panelists:

• Dr. Peter Carter - MD, Expert IPCC Reviewer and the director of the Climate Emergency Institute

• Paul Beckwith - Climate Systems Scientist. Professor at the University of Ottawa’s Paleoclimatology Laboratory as well as at Carleton University

• Regina Valdez - Program Director, Climate Reality Project, NYC. GreenFaith Fellow and LEED Green Associate

Video Production:

• Charles Gregoire - Climate Reality Leader, Electrical Engineer, Webmaster and IT prime for FacingFuture.Earth and the Climate Emergency Forum.

• Heidi Brault - Climate Reality Leader, BA(Psychology), Library & Information Technician Diploma - Video production and website assistant - Organizer and convener, Metadata technician, COP28 Team Lead for FacingFuture.Earth and the Climate Emergency Forum.

Attributions:

Background Music:

• Title: Through the City II
• Author: Crowander
• Source: Free Music Archive
• License: BY-NC 4.0

Image and Video:

• Image and Video Attributions