The terms “global warming” and “climate change” are used by many, seemingly interchangeably. But do they really mean the same thing?Scientists shaped the history of the terms while attempting to accurately describe how humans continue to alter the planet. Later, political strategists adopted the terms to influence public opinion.In 1975, geochemist Wallace Broecker introduced the term “climate change” in an article published by Science. In 1979, a National Academy of Sciences report used the term “global warming” to define increases in the Earth’s average surface temperature, while “climate change” more broadly referred to the numerous effects of this increase, such as sea-level rise and ocean acidification (酸化).During the following decades, some industrialists and politicians launched a campaign to sow doubt in the minds of the American public about the ability of fossil-fuel use, deforestation and other human activities to influence the planet’s climate.Word use played a critical role in developing that doubt. For example, the language and polls expert Frank Luntz wrote a memo encouraging the use of “climate change” because the phrase sounded less scary than “global warming,” reported the Guardian.However, Luntz’s recommendation wasn’t necessary. A Google Ngram Viewer chart shows that by 1993 climate change was already more commonly used in books than global warming. By the end of the next decade both words were used more frequently, and climate change was used nearly twice as often as global warming. NASA used the term “climate change” because it more accurately reflects the wide range of changes to the planet caused by increasing amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.The debate isn’t new. A century ago, chemist Svante Arrhenius started one of the first debates over the potential for humans to influence the planet’s climate. Arrhenius calculated the capability of carbon dioxide to trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, but other chemists disagreed. Some argued that humans weren’t producing enough greenhouse gases, while others claimed the effects would be tiny. Now, of course, we know that whatever you call it, human behavior is warming the planet, with grave consequences ahead.【小题1】Why did politicians use the two terms “global warming” and “climate change”?A．To sway public opinion of the impact of human activities on Earth.B．To more accurately describe the consequences of human activities.C．To win more popular votes in their campaign activities.D．To assure the public of the safety of existing industries.【小题2】As used in a National Academy of Sciences report, the term “climate change” differs from “global warming” in that________A．it sounds less vagueB．it looks more scientificC．it covers more phenomenaD．it is much closer to reality【小题3】What did industrialists of the late 20th century resort to in order to mislead Americans?A．Made-up survey results.B．Hired climate experts.C．False research findings.D．Deliberate choice of words.【小题4】What is the author’s final conclusion?A．Global warming is the more accurate term.B．Accuracy of terminology matters in science.C．Human activities have serious effects on Earth.D．Politics interferes with serious scientific debate.
The terms “global warming” and “climate change” are used by many, seemingly interchangeably. But do they really mean the same thing?
Scientists shaped the history of the terms while attempting to accurately describe how humans continue to alter the planet. Later, political strategists adopted the terms to influence public opinion.
In 1975, geochemist Wallace Broecker introduced the term “climate change” in an article published by Science. In 1979, a National Academy of Sciences report used the term “global warming” to define increases in the Earth’s average surface temperature, while “climate change” more broadly referred to the numerous effects of this increase, such as sea-level rise and ocean acidification (酸化).
During the following decades, some industrialists and politicians launched a campaign to sow doubt in the minds of the American public about the ability of fossil-fuel use, deforestation and other human activities to influence the planet’s climate.
Word use played a critical role in developing that doubt. For example, the language and polls expert Frank Luntz wrote a memo encouraging the use of “climate change” because the phrase sounded less scary than “global warming,” reported the Guardian.
However, Luntz’s recommendation wasn’t necessary. A Google Ngram Viewer chart shows that by 1993 climate change was already more commonly used in books than global warming. By the end of the next decade both words were used more frequently, and climate change was used nearly twice as often as global warming.
NASA used the term “climate change” because it more accurately reflects the wide range of changes to the planet caused by increasing amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
The debate isn’t new. A century ago, chemist Svante Arrhenius started one of the first debates over the potential for humans to influence the planet’s climate. Arrhenius calculated the capability of carbon dioxide to trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, but other chemists disagreed. Some argued that humans weren’t producing enough greenhouse gases, while others claimed the effects would be tiny. Now, of course, we know that whatever you call it, human behavior is warming the planet, with grave consequences ahead.
【小题1】Why did politicians use the two terms “global warming” and “climate change”?| A．To sway public opinion of the impact of human activities on Earth. |
| B．To more accurately describe the consequences of human activities. |
| C．To win more popular votes in their campaign activities. |
| D．To assure the public of the safety of existing industries. |
| A．it sounds less vague | B．it looks more scientific |
| C．it covers more phenomena | D．it is much closer to reality |
| A．Made-up survey results. |
| B．Hired climate experts. |
| C．False research findings. |
| D．Deliberate choice of words. |
| A．Global warming is the more accurate term. |
| B．Accuracy of terminology matters in science. |
| C．Human activities have serious effects on Earth. |
| D．Politics interferes with serious scientific debate. |
题目解答
答案
解析
文章讨论了“全球变暖”和“气候变化”这两个术语的使用历史和含义，以及它们如何被科学家和政治家用来影响公众对人类活动对地球影响的看法。
步骤 2：分析问题1
问题1询问政治家使用这两个术语的原因。根据文章，政治家使用这些术语是为了影响公众对人类活动对地球影响的看法，即为了影响公众意见。
步骤 3：分析问题2
问题2询问“气候变化”和“全球变暖”在含义上的区别。根据文章，1979年，美国国家科学院报告中，“全球变暖”定义为地球表面平均温度的增加，而“气候变化”更广泛地指代这种增加的众多影响，如海平面上升和海洋酸化。
步骤 4：分析问题3
问题3询问20世纪末的工业家如何误导美国人。根据文章，工业家和政治家通过使用“气候变化”这个听起来不那么可怕的术语来误导公众，即通过精心选择的词语。
步骤 5：分析问题4
问题4询问作者的最终结论。根据文章，作者的最终结论是人类活动对地球有严重的影响，无论你称之为“全球变暖”还是“气候变化”。