Image: AP
The US energy department (EERE) has added “climate change,” “green,” and “decarbonization” to its expanding “list of words to avoid” within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The listed terms are central to EERE’s mission, which serves as the government’s largest investor in technologies aimed at reducing heat-trapping emissions that contribute to climate change and curbing hazardous pollution from fossil fuels.“Please ensure that every member of your team is aware that this is the latest list of words to avoid — and continue to be conscientious about avoiding any terminology that you know to be misaligned with the Administration’s perspectives and priorities,” the directive, issued by acting director of external affairs Rachel Overbey, said, as cited by Politico.In addition to “climate change” and “green,” EERE has prohibited officials from using the term “emissions,” citing concerns that it implies a negative connotation. Other banned terms include “energy transition,” “sustainability” or “sustainable,” “‘clean’ or ‘dirty’ energy,” “carbon/CO2 footprint,” and “tax breaks,” “tax credits,” or “subsidies.”The guidelines reportedly apply to both internal and public communications, including documents such as federal funding requests for information, reports, and briefings. The new rules were introduced just days after US President Donald Trump criticized world leaders at the UN General Assembly for taking action on rising emissions.Trump dismissed global warming and climate change as a “hoax” aimed at weakening the West economically. “Carbon footprint…is a con job. If you don’t get away from the green scam your country is going to be ruined,” he told European nations, while praising Germany for shifting away from renewable energy and returning to fossil fuels, including what he called “big beautiful coal.”Energy secretary Chris Wright has also challenged climate science, promoting a report he commissioned that minimized the impact of rising emissions on worsening extreme weather events.Last week, Wright canceled $13 billion in funding for renewable energy projects and criticized wind and solar incentives, which are set to expire under the Republican legislation after more than three decades in place.“If you can’t rock on your own after 33 years, maybe that’s not a business that’s going places,” Wright said at a press conference, as reported by Politico. Climate change is driven by increasing greenhouse gas emissions, largely resulting from the burning of oil, coal, and natural gas for energy.
