My wife often comments, “It’s cold in this house.” The thermostat has been nudged up a few degrees over the years, but the climate of the dwelling still seems to be shy of her expectations. So, we purchased a small heating unit for her office/sewing room to provide a more climate-controlled area for her.
The word “climate” has been in the English language usage since 1578. Its initial meaning was in reference to weather patterns within a described region. Many residents of Saskatchewan like to winter in Arizona because of the warm and dry climate. I like the climate of the Canadian prairies because we experience four very distinct seasons over the course of a year. Saskatchewan has a great climate for growing wheat. According to the 2016 census, 91% of the total cropland in Saskatchewan was seeded with field crops, more than Alberta and Manitoba combined.
Climate was derived from the Greek word klima, meaning slope or inclination. The ancient Greeks realized that weather patterns changed with the sun’s angle. As you moved significant distances north or south, temperature, wind direction, precipitation, etc. changed according to the klima, the latitude. Eventually the earth was divided into seven latitudinal regions, called klimata. The concept came into modern European languages as clime or climate, which morphed into meaning the weather of a region.
The ancient Greek Theophrastus (370-287 BC) wrote about climates in his books, “Water, Winds, and Storms,” and “On Weather Signs.” Throughout the history of the world, climates have changed. However, today the term “climate change,” has taken on some specific nuances. In 1824, French physicist Joseph Fourier described the Earth's natural "greenhouse effect". Irish physicist John Tyndall showed that water vapour and certain other gases create the greenhouse effect. In 1896, Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius concluded that industrial-age coal burning will enhance the natural greenhouse effect. He suggested this might be beneficial for future generations.
A contrary view of a warming climate was presented by a 1965 US President's Advisory Committee panel, which warned that the greenhouse effect is a matter of "real concern". In 1975, US scientist Wallace Broecker put the term "global warming" into public conversation. An Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was formed in 1988 to collate and assess evidence on climate change. The Stern Review of 2006 concluded that climate change could damage global GDP by up to 20% if left unchecked - but curbing it would cost about 1% of global GDP. In 2009 192 governments convened for the UN climate summit in Copenhagen with expectations of a new global agreement, which never happened. The IPCC's 2013 assessment report declared scientists are 95% certain that humans are the "dominant cause" of global warming since the 1950s. Currently, climates changing for good or bad are a “hot-button” topic around the world.
As time went on the usage of the term climate expanded to indicate a widespread mood or condition. The cultural climate of the 1960s has produced a lasting effect to this day. The effects of CIVID19 have altered the economic climate of Canada, and the world. Federal funds spent on research in many areas can create a climate for innovation. The recent truckers protest in Ottawa fashioned a climate of fear among many residents. What the Greeks first observed so many centuries ago has evolved into endless conversations around the world. From small coffee shops to mass demonstrations at global conferences, the discussions of climate continue.
The climates of our houses are more than temperature settings. As we interact with family, friends, and neighbours, let us strive to keep the climate warm and friendly all the time.
Columnist John Kreutzwieser loves to research words and writes this weekly Word Wisdom column for Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com. He has an interest in the usage, origin, and relevance of words for society today. Greek and Latin form the basis of many words, with ancient Hebrew shedding light on word usage.
John would like to know if anyone has a sincere interest in a relevant word that he could possibly research for an upcoming column. If so, please send your requests to [email protected] . Words will be selected according to relevance and research criteria. We cannot confirm that all words will be used.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
