Guardian to staff: Use 'climate crisis' in stories

The Guardian newspaper of London will no longer refer to "climate change" in its stories.

No, the iconic, left-leaning broadsheet hasn't become a convert to climate skepticism.

Instead, the paper is upping the ante, directing its staff to use the terms "climate emergency" and "climate crisis," the Washington Examiner reported.

An internal email argued the term "climate change" sounds "rather passive and gentle when what scientists are talking about is a catastrophe for humanity."

In fact "climate skeptic" also is not an acceptable term. Instead, the paper will refer to scientists and others who cite evidence that mankind is not causing catastrophic climate change as "climate deniers" or climate science deniers."

Also, staff is instructed to use the term "global heating" instead of "global warming."

The Examiner pointed out that the Associated Press Stylebook, the industry standard, says to avoid the use of "skeptics" or "deniers" to describe "those who don’t accept climate science or dispute the world is warming from man-made forces."

Use "climate change doubters" or "those who reject mainstream climate science," the AP says. "Avoid use of skeptics or deniers."

In their internal email, the Guardian editors didn't necessarily ban the use of "climate change" but told staff to "think twice" before including them in stories.

"We want to ensure that we are being scientifically precise in rooted facts, while also communicating clearly with readers on this very important issue," the email said.

But many scientists point to failed predictions based on the models of scientists who believe mankind is causing catastrophic climate change, noting a "pause" for the past two decades in the rise of average global temperatures.

Scientists who promote the theory of anthropogenic climate change contend a rise in the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due to human activity is causing catastrophic warming.

But a new scientific study found that the current CO2 levels of 410 parts per million were last seen on Earth 3 million years ago. Researchers at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research concluded that temperatures were up to 7 degrees Fahrenheit warmer globally and sea levels were 65 feet higher.