I see your point about guilt/blame, but I’m just not sure the term we use to describe the phenomenon is the problem. We’ve already switched terms once (from “global warming” to “climate change”) to sound more neutral, and I would argue that “climate change” is about the most neutral description possible—it doesn’t imply that the change is good or bad, or suggest a cause. “Accidental terraforming”, on the other hand, combined two terms with opposite valence, perhaps in the intent that they will cancel out? Terraforming is supposed to describe a desirable (for humans) change to the environment, while an accident is usually bad.
But the controversy, blame, and anger don’t arise from the moniker, they are a natural consequence of trying to change behavior. In fact, people now like to say “anthropogenic climate change” precisely because they intend to put the blame explicitly on polluting industry. How can we take control of our effects on the climate if we don’t first acknowledge them, and then add a moral valence? Without a “should”, there is no impetus to action. Telling people they should do something different (and costly) will upset them, yes, but then you can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs.
How can we take control of our effects on the climate if we don’t first acknowledge them, and then add a moral valence?
Assigning blame doesn’t fix anything; it divides people and helps bad actors accrue political power.
I would argue that “climate change” is about the most neutral description possible—it doesn’t imply that the change is good or bad, or suggest a cause.
It certainly was neutral at some point, but I don’t think anyone hears “climate change” and thinks of the climate getting better for humans, at least nowadays. “Accidental Terraforming” at least suggests that we ought to be doing this on purpose, instead of unintentionally.
I see your point about guilt/blame, but I’m just not sure the term we use to describe the phenomenon is the problem. We’ve already switched terms once (from “global warming” to “climate change”) to sound more neutral, and I would argue that “climate change” is about the most neutral description possible—it doesn’t imply that the change is good or bad, or suggest a cause. “Accidental terraforming”, on the other hand, combined two terms with opposite valence, perhaps in the intent that they will cancel out? Terraforming is supposed to describe a desirable (for humans) change to the environment, while an accident is usually bad.
But the controversy, blame, and anger don’t arise from the moniker, they are a natural consequence of trying to change behavior. In fact, people now like to say “anthropogenic climate change” precisely because they intend to put the blame explicitly on polluting industry. How can we take control of our effects on the climate if we don’t first acknowledge them, and then add a moral valence? Without a “should”, there is no impetus to action. Telling people they should do something different (and costly) will upset them, yes, but then you can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs.
Assigning blame doesn’t fix anything; it divides people and helps bad actors accrue political power.
It certainly was neutral at some point, but I don’t think anyone hears “climate change” and thinks of the climate getting better for humans, at least nowadays. “Accidental Terraforming” at least suggests that we ought to be doing this on purpose, instead of unintentionally.