The Associated Press says journalists can use “global warming” and “climate change” interchangeably to describe human-induced warming of the planet, but the news organization says using “climate change” is more scientifically accurate.

The AP says climate change is “more accurate scientifically to describe the various effects of greenhouse gases on the world” because it includes things like more extreme weather, rising sea levels and ocean acidification.

On the other hand, AP says, global warming is okay to use because it’s “more common and understandable to the public” — which AP seems to regard as the unwashed masses.

The AP also says to use “doubters” to describe those who question the narrative of man-made global warming. Liberals usually refer to doubters of man-made global warming as “deniers” — a derogatory term likening those who question global warming to Holocaust deniers. The New York Times recently took up a policy to use the term “deniers” to describe skeptics who question global warming.

So-called global warming “doubters” usually refer to themselves as “skeptics” because they may not necessarily “deny” the human impact on the climate. Often they simply question the extent to which environmentalists ascribe geographic and weather impacts to a warming climate.

Here’s what the AP sent out in an email to journalists as an update to its style guide:

“The terms global warming and climate change can be used interchangeably. Climate change is more accurate scientifically to describe the various effects of greenhouse gases on the world because it includes extreme weather, storms and changes in rainfall patterns, ocean acidification and sea level. But global warming as a term is more common and understandable to the public.”

“The world is warming, mainly due to rising levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Most of the increase in temperature comes from man-made sources. These sources include the burning of coal, oil and natural gas, deforestation and livestock raising.”

“This is based on the vast majority of peer-reviewed studies, science organizations and climate scientists.”

“Identify the source for specific climate change data, and for any detailed predictions of how climate change will affect the earth.”

“In a joint publication in 2014, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of the United Kingdom stated:”

‘Human activities – especially the burning of fossil fuels since the start of the Industrial Revolution – have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations by about 40 percent, with more than half the increase occurring since 1970. Since 1900, the global average surface temperature has increased by about 0.8 degrees Celsius (1.4 degrees Fahrenheit). This has been accompanied by warming of the ocean, a rise in sea level, a strong decline in Arctic sea ice, and many other associated climate effects. Much of this warming has occurred in the last four decades.’

“To describe those who don’t accept climate science or dispute that the world is warming from man-made forces, use climate change doubters or those who reject mainstream climate science. Avoid use of skeptics or deniers.”

The AP may believe “climate change” is a more accurate term than “global warming,” but The Daily Caller News Foundation will continue to say global warming when referring to claims human activity is causing the Earth’s average temperature to rise to dangerous levels. TheDCNF beleives “global warming” more accurately describes the claims of environmentalists and climate scientists.

Interestingly enough, the AP doesn’t seem to have a way to refer to those who sound the alarm on global warming, often exaggerating claims of temperature rises, extreme weather and other climatic events. Skeptics often refer to them as “alarmists” because of the urgency with which they talk about global warming.

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