Out: Global Warming; In: 'Our Deteriorating Atmosphere'

Goodness, this one is nearly as dumb as calling terrorism a man-caused disaster.

The problem with global warming, some environmentalists believe, is “global warming.”

The term turns people off, fostering images of shaggy-haired liberals, economic sacrifice and complex scientific disputes, according to extensive polling and focus group sessions conducted by ecoAmerica, a nonprofit environmental marketing and messaging firm in Washington.

Another problem with global warming is it's complete nonsense, a hoax, a scam. In fact people were turned off several years ago to the nonstop doom and gloom, they renamed it climate change. I also don't necessarily envision a shaggy-haired liberal. More like a pedantic, over-fed, failed politician, but I digress.

Instead of grim warnings about global warming, the firm advises, talk about “our deteriorating atmosphere.” Drop discussions of carbon dioxide and bring up “moving away from the dirty fuels of the past.” Don’t confuse people with cap and trade; use terms like “cap and cash back” or “pollution reduction refund.”

Cap and cash back? Are these people for real? Cap and trade will result in an enormous increase in prices to the consumer and we're supposed to play some Orwellian word games and call it cash back?

Is this kind of like Obama's tax cuts that will result in higher taxes?

EcoAmerica has been conducting research for the last several years to find new ways to frame environmental issues and so build public support for climate change legislation and other initiatives. A summary of the group’s latest findings and recommendations was accidentally sent by e-mail to a number of news organizations by someone who sat in this week on a briefing intended for government officials and environmental leaders.

Ooops, cat's out of the bag. Accidentally sent by e-mail. Hey, why be so cumbersome with the language? I've got a better, more eco-friendly word for accidentally sent by e-mail? How about stupidity?

This part I find curious, and frankly I'm surprised the New York Times even mentions it.

Environmental issues consistently rate near the bottom of public worry, according to many public opinion polls. A Pew Research Center poll released in January found global warming last among 20 voter concerns'

That's right, dead last.

Makes you wonder why we're pummeled over the head 24/7/365 about something nobody cares about.

Alas, there's a sinister reason why.

“We know why it’s lowest,” said Mr. Perkowitz, a marketer of outdoor clothing and home furnishings before he started ecoAmerica, whose activities are financed by corporations, foundations and individuals. “When someone thinks of global warming, they think of a politicized, polarized argument. When you say ‘global warming,’ a certain group of Americans think that’s a code word for progressive liberals, gay marriage and other such issues.”

Huh? Gay marriage? Oh yes, another one of those issues, along with global warming, that few people care about yet the progressive liberals are obsessed with.

Hmm. Maybe it's time for a focus group to come up with a new phrase for gay marriage?