Naming the Problem

There's a saying that seeing the problem is half the solution. Another aspect might be naming or describing the problem. One reason why people have trouble accepting the reality of climate change is that it is commonly called "global warming." It's true that average global temperatures have risen and continue to rise, but to people suffering through this year's brutal winter might well think "This is global warming?" People find it difficult to perceive phenomena on the global level. This can lead to "Frog in the Boiling Water;" phenomenon. If a change takes place gradually people might not notice a change that is taking place until the catastrophic changes have taken place. Perhaps it would be better to emphasize the reality of global climate change, and point out the clear evidence that is taking place.