The Language of Climate Politics

Fossil-Fuel Propaganda and How to Fight It

By: Genevieve Guenther

Narrated by: Genevieve Guenther

In an illuminating analysis, Dr. Genevieve Guenther shows that the climate debate is not, in fact, neatly polarized, with Republicans obstructing climate action and Democrats advancing climate solutions. Partisans on the right and the left often repeat the same fossil-fuel talking points, and this repetition produces a centrist consensus upholding the status quo, even as global heating accelerates.

Weaving this analysis through fascinating critical histories of the terms that dominate the language of climate politics—the words we, alarmist, cost, growth, "India and China," innovation, and resilience—Dr. Guenther shows how this consensus is established. Fossil-fuel interests weaponize the discourses of science, economics, and activism, co-opting and twisting climate language to help greenwash their plans for ongoing extraction. But all too often climate scientists, economists, and even advocates will unwittingly echo the false and dangerous assumptions of their supposed political opponents. This apparent agreement between foes, filtered through the news media, not only influences our commonsense yet mistaken views about the climate crisis but also enables powerful decisionmakers to justify the corporate and policy actions that threaten us all. Revealing this dynamic, Guenther shows how to transform it.

©2024 Genevieve Guenther (P)2024 Kalorama

Great look at the issues up against us all!

Great to explain the what,, who, where, and how of this massive problem our civilization will have to deal with. Gives good background into some of the political decisions being made, and doesn’t hold back on any particular party for their short coming’s.

Read it - counter the "skeptics" and misinformed

This book is a great listen if you encounter climate heating skeptics and misinformed people. Dr. Guenther discusses the fossil fuel propaganda, how our government with a wink and nod goes along with the propaganda and how disinformation muddies the conversation. She hits on the main points, how the IPCC has really been corrupted by fossil fuel interests and some of the disinformation techniques that they use. It then goes on to give tools that you can use to counter those points, how to respond in a way that is not confrontational, but educational. I recommend reading or listening to it.

straightforward

Lots of arguments and perfect explaining on such a controversial subject. I really enjoyed listening to it. Very recommended.

Gives antidotes to the climate crisis

Always prefer the author to read their books. A strong message. Balanced with ways to address the fossil fuel industry climate change denial propaganda. I liked the practical ways that Genevieve gives to solve this.