In a dramatic linguistic shift that signals a new sense of urgency, the US Department of Energy has officially instructed all staff to replace the term 'climate change' with 'climate crisis' in all official communications and documents.
The internal directive, issued this week, represents a fundamental change in how the Biden administration frames the environmental challenges facing the nation and the world.
Language as Policy Tool
The move goes beyond mere semantics, with department officials stating that the terminology change reflects the increasing severity and immediacy of climate impacts being witnessed across the United States.
According to internal documents seen by The Guardian, the directive applies to all departmental communications, including:
- Official reports and publications
- Public statements and speeches
- Internal briefing documents
- Congressional testimony
- Public-facing websites and social media
Scientific Justification
The policy change follows mounting scientific evidence and increasingly severe weather events that have battered the country in recent years. Department scientists have reportedly been advocating for stronger language that more accurately reflects the emergency situation unfolding globally.
This linguistic shift aligns the Energy Department with climate activists and environmental organisations that have long argued that 'climate change' sounds too neutral and gradual to convey the existential threat the planet faces.
Political Implications
The terminology change is likely to draw both praise and criticism along political lines, with climate advocates welcoming the more urgent framing while opponents may view it as alarmist. The move represents one of the most visible policy adjustments since the current administration took office.
Energy Department officials emphasised that the language change will be accompanied by concrete policy actions designed to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and address the root causes of the escalating crisis.
