The Power of One Word: Stalling Global Efforts to Save the Planet

The choice of words in global climate negotiations can have significant implications for the success of agreements. In 2015, the substitution of "shall" with "should" in the Paris climate accord allowed the United States to sign on. Now, at the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP28), a dispute over whether to phase "down" or phase "out" fossil fuels threatens progress. Negotiators from nearly 200 nations are divided on the language, with some countries, including China, opposing the elimination of fossil fuels. The debate over semantics has real-world consequences, as air pollution from fossil fuel combustion is responsible for millions of premature deaths annually. The choice of words can also impact global markets and investments in polluting projects.