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21st December 2023 (9 Topics)

Climate action needs an updated official vocabulary

Context:

There is need to move away from the constraints of collective memory and community knowledge to enable a better official response to future challenges.

Shifting Baselines and Environmental Impact

  • Recent Rainfall in South Tamil Nadu: Significant rainfall in south Tamil Nadu reversed the northeast monsoon deficit, impacting areas like Thoothukudi and Tiruchendur.
  • Devastation Perception: Perceptions of 'devastation' are affected by shifting baselines, leading to underestimation of losses over time.
  • Climate Change and Future Baselines: As climate change impacts emerge, a new kind of shifting baseline extends into the future, influencing language and memorialization.

Challenges in Meaning-Making and Official Language

  • Jargon and Definitions: Current meaning-making relies on jargon from reports, creating challenges in communicating climate-related scenarios effectively to the public.
  • Imperfect Official Vocabulary: Government translations often lack precision, with definitions not accounting for all factors, contributing to potential shifting baselines.
  • Role of Officialese: Localised officialese is crucial for memorialising experiences, building context, and enhancing trust in institutions, but requires regular updates.

Global Implications

  • State Accountability and Disaster Response: State responses to disasters, determined by official records like medical certificates, impact understanding of 'devastation' and accountability.
  • Global Implications of Officialese: Officialese has global implications, influencing the distribution of funds based on the severity of climate-related disasters, requiring new official terms.
  • Need for Clarity in Communication: Developing official words for unprecedented situations, like extreme rainfall, is crucial for effective communication, especially in global contexts.
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