In a webinar on April 19, we'll explore how climate organizations are currently using storytelling in their work, the impacts of these stories, and lessons learned from other movements. Stay in the know about climate impacts and solutions. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Yale Climate Connections Fossil fuels can be hard to quit. They’re woven into our society and are endemic in energy sources, plastics, and countless other products. They’ve even infiltrated our language. The other day while teaching skiing, I was describing the performance benefit of putting one’s weight on the downhill ski. “It’s like stepping on the gas pedal,” I said. I caught myself - I don’t even have a gas pedal in my car anymore. But still, the metaphor rolls reflexively off the tongue. Society is accelerating efforts to decarbonize transportation, electricity, heat, industry, and food systems. Why not clean up our language while we clean up the atmosphere? So Yale Climate Connections reached out to readers, friends, and family for examples of fossil-fueled language and cleaner alternatives. Read on for some lighthearted ideas to root dirty language out of your conversations. Does your team operate like a well-oiled machine? Equipment that’s tuned up and optimized is a good thing, no doubt. But even at its best, a well-oiled engine is terribly inefficient, wasting far more energy than it puts out while spewing a steady stream of pollutants. Even a mediocre manager wouldn’t wish that on their team. Read: Electric vehicles use half the energy of gas-powered vehicles Instead, maybe teams should strive to function like a well-connected grid. They can shift their resources around quickly and flexibly. Those with abundant energy can lend a hand to others when they need a boost. And everyone can operate cleanly and economically. That’s more like it! Now, we’re cooking with gas … er, wait. Now we’re cooking with gas is an... |