Energy Department Cracks Down on Climate Talk Among Employees

Energy Department Tries to Stifle Workers' Use of Climate-Related Words The US Department of Energy has instructed employees in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) to avoid using terms like "climate change" in internal communications, sparking criticism from experts and advocates. The directive, obtained by the Guardian, is the latest incident in a growing trend of suppressing climate-related discussions within the US government. According to an email sent by an agency acting director on September 24, employees were told to be cautious when using language that might be perceived as "misaligned with the administration's perspectives and priorities." The email specifically mentioned avoiding terms like "climate change," which is a widely accepted scientific concept. "This is not just about semantics; it's about silencing the truth," said Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist at Texas Tech University. "By avoiding these words, they're essentially erasing the reality of climate change from our conversations." The EERE office, responsible for funding carbon-reducing technologies, has been at the forefront of the US government's efforts to address climate change. However, the new directive suggests that even within this department, there is a growing unease with discussing the issue openly. "This is not just about avoiding certain words; it's about creating a culture of fear and intimidation," said Dr. Hayhoe. "When you're told to avoid using certain terms, it sends a message that speaking truthfully about climate change is no longer acceptable." The directive has sparked concerns among experts and advocates, who see it as part of a broader trend of suppressing climate-related discussions within the US government. "This is not an isolated incident," said Dr. Michael Mann, a climate scientist at Penn State University. "We've seen similar attempts to silence climate scientists and researchers in the past few years. It's a disturbing trend that undermines the integrity of scientific research and public discourse." The Energy Department has yet to comment on the directive or its implications for employees. However, experts warn that such directives can have far-reaching consequences, not only for individual employees but also for the broader public. "When you silence climate scientists and researchers, you're essentially silencing the truth," said Dr. Hayhoe. "It's a threat to our democracy and our ability to make informed decisions about the future of our planet." As the US government continues to grapple with the issue of climate change, experts and advocates will be closely watching developments within the Energy Department. In related news, the White House has announced plans to establish a new task force focused on addressing climate-related issues. The move is seen as a positive step by many experts, who hope it will help to shift the conversation around climate change within the US government. However, critics argue that such efforts are too little, too late, and that more needs to be done to address the scale and urgency of the crisis. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the use of language in discussing climate change has become a contentious issue, with far-reaching implications for individual employees, public discourse, and the future of our planet. *Reporting by Motherjones.*