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Government publishes new Climate Jargon Buster Website

Developed in collaboration with a group of young people from Comhairle na nÓg, the website provides plain English explanations for common climate terms.

The Taoiseach and Minister O’ Gorman have today published the Climate Jargon Buster Website.

The website provides plain English explanations for approximately 80 common climate action terms. Developed in collaboration with a group of young people from Comhairle na nOg, it is designed to be of assistance to anyone looking to understand the language used in relation to climate action.  

The Project was devised following feedback received from young people last year about the complexity of the terminology associated with climate science and policy and how it creates barriers to participation and engagement.

Interactive and accessible, the website enables users to search or browse terms in a number of ways. It carries the National Adult Literacy Agency’s plain English mark in recognition of its use of plain language throughout.  

In thanking the young people involved in the Project, the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin said:

“Climate change is the biggest challenge facing our Planet, but the language around it is complex and not easy to understand. This website is a practical and useful resource that will help people gain a greater understanding of climate action.”

Speaking at a meeting with the young people involved in the Project, Minister O’Gorman said:

“Young people have led the way on climate action, and I want to ensure that they continue to be centrally involved in our response to climate change. The project shows the value of collaborating with young people, and I hope it will be of use to everyone with an interest in protecting our environment.”

Notes to the Editor:

  • The website is accessible at www.gov.ie/en/climatejargonbuster.
  •  A Sub Group of the Comhairle na nOg National Executive was established to work on this Project. The Group of young people worked on the project over a number of months last year. They attended virtual meetings and workshops and provided continuous rolling feedback on all aspects of the Project.  They helped choose the terms that needed to be explained, helped make sure the explanations were understandable and inputted into the design of the website. 
  • Department of the Taoiseach worked with Environmental Protection Agency, SEAI and Met Eireann to develop the explanations for each of the terms.
  • The website and the terms explained, have been awarded the plain English mark by the National Adult Literacy Agency.
  • It is intended to update the website regularly to include additional terms.
  • The website provides three ways in which terms can be searched:

- Entering term in search box

- Browsing by sector

- Download the full list in A-Z format.

  • The website also includes a short quiz that asks readers to test their climate jargon knowledge.