“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind,” wrote English poet Rudyard Kipling almost a century ago. A look at today’s polarized energy discussion suggests Kipling’s insight to be true.
Words matter in any debate, regardless of the subject matter. As we know from the study of semantics, word meanings are interpreted differently by different people. Our personal beliefs, opinions and superstitions are among countless factors which shape our use and interpretation of language.
Loaded terms
Language’s importance is not lost on energy debate participants. Like duelists choose weapons, words are carefully selected with much thought about intended meanings and how the message will be received by others. Words seen as useful in advancing preferred perspectives are embraced. Less impactful words are ignored.
Tar sands and oil sands
You don’t have to be a linguistic scholar to pick out examples in the energy debate. “Oil sands” versus “tar sands” is perhaps the most obvious. Check out the table below to see how different language describes the same aspects of oil sands and energy development. Reading the list could evoke an emotional response. If you’re like us, seeing a particular word might even make you want to change it or debate its use.
Our unscientific analysis reveals there’s different ways we describe energy, from neutral and clinical words to emotional language geared to inciting action.
Constructive debate
Neither approach is superior to the other. Unfortunately, though, it appears semantic techniques can get in the way of a constructive debate. They can encourage entrenchment and impair openness to new ideas and solutions.
Dropping semantic weapons of choice might be hard to do, but recognizing and understanding word meanings might help us get to a better place – one of productive dialogue.
Semantics in the energy debate
|
What it is … |
Some call it … |
Others call it … |
|
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced through the production, transmission and consumption of fossil fuels |
Carbon pollution
|
GHG emissions |
|
Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds released by oil sands operations |
Air pollution
|
Air emissions |
|
Geographic area where oil sands deposits are found |
Sacrifice zone
|
Oil sands region |
|
Material stored in a tailings pond |
Toxic waste
|
Tailings |
|
Bitumen deposits |
Tar sands |
Oil sands |
|
An engineered dam or dyke used as a storage container for the mixture of water, sand, clay and residual oil left over after oil sands processing |
Tailings lake |
Tailings pond |
|
Oil sands development |
Extreme energy |
Unconventional energy production |
|
Use of hydrocarbon fuels |
Addiction |
Consumption |
|
When industrial byproducts enter into the environment |
Spill or leak |
Release or discharge |
|
Large energy companies with significant reserves and operating facilities |
Big oil
|
Integrated energy company |
