Greenpeace protesters hang with a banner from a construction crane in DC.(PHOTO CREDIT: MARK WILSON/GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Stop calling it "global warming"... that's the message coming from some environmentalists.
And apparently it's because the term turns people off and brings to mind shaggy-haired liberals and issues like gay marriage, economic sacrifice and complicated scientific arguments.
The New York Times got a hold of a memo sent by a group called EcoAmerica that's been conducting research for years on how to best frame environmental issues.
So instead of global warming, the firm recommends talking about our deteriorating atmosphere - instead of haggling over carbon dioxide - they suggest talking about "moving away from the dirty fuels of the past." Instead of energy efficiency, try - saving money for a more prosperous future. And instead of the word 'environment' - talk about "the air we breathe, the water our children drink."
But it's unclear whether using different words will actually make people care more about the environment. A recent Pew Research Center Poll shows global warming finished dead last among 20 voter issues; behind things like moral decline and decreasing the influence of lobbyists.
One expert points out that partisans on both side of the issue are essentially doing the same thing - they're using advertising techniques to try to manipulate public opinion. He calls the approach "cynical and ineffective." Maybe so, but the term 'global warming' apparently isn't getting it done.
Here’s my question to you: Why does global warming rank last on a list of 20 issues of concern to voters?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Jim from Cripple Creek, Colorado writes:
The health of the planet is #20 for the same reason lunatic terrorists were #20, or was it #200, on the list of stuff to worry about on 9-10. It's not a problem until it bites us in the butt.
Simon from Orlando writes:
I don't think that everybody is on board with the gloom and doom crowd about the effects of manmade global warming. Plus, this country can go as green as they want, but if other big polluters like China and India don't, it's not going to matter. There is also hypocrisy from the green crowd, like Al Gore flying around in his big fuel burning private jet and telling me that I've got to change my light bulbs to save the earth.
Randy from Salt Lake City, Utah writes:
If it can't be seen all the time, every day by the American sheeple, then it doesn't exist. Now, if it was on Idol, Survivor, Dancing with the Stars, etc, then maybe, maybe the lemmings would be concerned. Maybe.
Jean writes:
The fixes are too drastic for an inconclusive scientific possibility. It's like being told you must have chemotherapy without knowing for sure you have cancer.
Anna from Missouri writes:
We are a nation of "instant gratification." People have a tendency to only worry about what is affecting them right now. We do not have it in our DNA to look into, or plan for, the future. It will take actually seeing the sea levels threaten our coastal cities before most of them will wonder why nothing has been done about it.
Jose writes:
People are tired of hearing about a problem that’s not going to affect us today. It's sad to think that our generation simply doesn't care about our future generations.
Louis writes:
"Global warming" finished 20th on the list because global warming isn't "sexy" and calls for real "sacrifice." Who did you think you were talking to? This is America!