Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
Food for Thought with Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
From “Climate Change” to “Climate Crisis"
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From “Climate Change” to “Climate Crisis"

Why some words motivate and others shut people down — which inspire and which backfire!

As I wrote in the written version of this topic, language doesn’t just describe reality—it shapes how we see it, how we feel about it, and whether we act. The words we use around climate aren’t neutral: they can spark urgency, create fatigue, or open the door to hope.

Research shows that familiar terms like climate change and global warming elicit more urgency and willingness to act than newer, heavier terms like climate crisis or climate emergency.

In this episode of Food for Thought, I explore which words inspire, which ones backfire, and how choosing clearer, calmer language can move people toward solutions.

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🎧 Listen in to learn how the words we choose can either keep people stuck in fear or move them toward meaningful action. You can also watch it as a YouTube video, as well!


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