Crisis, Emergency or Catastrophe? The Power of Terminology in Climate Risk Communication

Authors

Abstract

In a context of accelerated global warming, the way climate risk is communicated plays a key role in shaping public perception, emotions, and actions. This article examines the role of terminology and journalistic language in the social construction of climate risk, highlighting how terms such as crisis, emergency, or catastrophe can elicit different responses. Based on a cocreation workshop and analysis of real cases, it proposes good practices for clearer, more rigorous, and transformative climate communication. It also warns of the rise of climate delayism and misinformation, and highlights the importance of educational and communicative tools to counteract them and foster a critical, empowering climate discourse.

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Author Biographies

Meritxell Martell i Lamolla , Merience

Meritxell Martell és ambientòloga i doctora en Ciències Ambientals per la University of East Anglia (Regne Unit). Té més de vint anys d’experiència com a consultora en la comunicació del risc i la participació pública en processos de presa de decisions complexes amb forta dimensió sociotècnica. Participa en projectes europeus de recerca i assessora organismes internacionals. És docent en els Màsters de Comunicació Científica, Mèdica i Ambiental de la UPF i del Màster d’Enginyeria Nuclear de la UPC.

Ana Romero i Càlix, Servei de Sostenibilitat i Educació de l’Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona

Ana Romero és ambientòloga i Màster en Gestió del Cicle Integral de l’Aigua. Va iniciar la seva carrera en l’àmbit del risc en el sector industrial per a després desenvolupar-la en diverses administracions públiques, actualment com a responsable del Departament d’Acció Climàtica de l’Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona. També és docent, entre altres, del Màster de Filosofia per als Reptes Contemporanis de la UOC i membre fundadora del Col·legi d’Ambientòlegs de Catalunya.

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Published

2025-06-29

How to Cite

Martell i Lamolla , M., & Romero i Càlix, A. (2025). Crisis, Emergency or Catastrophe? The Power of Terminology in Climate Risk Communication . Terminàlia, 1(31), 59–62. Retrieved from https://revistes.iec.cat/index.php/Terminalia/article/view/155201

Issue

No. 31: June 2025

Section

Climate transition and terminology

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