April 25, 2022

A new climate change dictionary

Confused by all the jargon surrounding the current climate crisis? Here are some definitions you definitely won’t forget.

2 min read

1. Climate fry-sis

The combination of anger and exhaustion that hits when you read one more article about how switching to metal straws will save the environment.

2. Soul-ar panel

Two days of panel discussions led by a spiritual climate guru who is convinced that the solution to climate change is aligning the planet’s chakras.

3. Car-funk emissions

The guilt you feel when you drive/uber to work instead of taking public transport.

4. Paa-ris Agreement

The unspoken agreement you have with your father: you don’t bring up how the planet may not be livable, and he doesn’t ask about future plans/marriage/having grandchildren.

definition of dictionary in a dictionary-climate change
Picture courtesy: Pixabay/CC BY

5. 3 R’s: Reverence, remorse, regret

The everyday emotions of somebody working in climate justice.

6. Bio-die-versity

All your brain cells dying a slow death while listening to rich businessmen talk about carbon tax.

7. Sustainabili-tea

That one donor who always invites you to their office and offers you ethically grown tea but doesn’t apply a climate or justice lens to their funding.

8. Re-no-able energy

The enthusiasm with which the HR says no to you every time you bring up attending an international conference on climate change.

9. Pollu-shun

When your climate conscious friends shun you for buying a plastic water bottle because you forgot your ethically sourced copper water bottle at home.

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Shreya Adhikari-Image
Shreya Adhikari

Shreya Adhikari leads IDR’s climate vertical and is responsible for sourcing and producing content that amplifies underrepresented voices and narratives in the climate conversation. Additionally, she manages podcasts at IDR, including the award-winning show On the Contrary by IDR. Before joining IDR, Shreya was involved in curating and producing various arts and cultural festivals in India and internationally, including the Jaipur Literature Festival. She is a Terra.do fellow and has completed her postgraduation from Xavier’s Institute of Communication.

Tanaya Jagtiani-Image
Tanaya Jagtiani

Tanaya is a writer and content manager at Noora Health. She was previously an editorial associate at IDR, where she managed Failure Files, in addition to writing, editing, curating, and publishing content. Tanaya holds an MSc in Globalisation and Development from SOAS, University of London and a BA in Sociology from St Xavier’s College, Mumbai.

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