How climate change can get lost in translation

+ why summer has to end US Edition - Today's top story: Lost in translation: What spirituality and Einstein’s theory of time have to do with misunderstandings about climate change [View in browser]( US Edition | 21 September 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Climate Week is getting underway in New York City amid what’s likely to be the hottest year on record, and government officials, scientists and communities around the world have a lot to talk about. Those conversations get harder when language gets in the way, as linguist Miki Mori explains. Mori lives on Mayotte, an island off East Africa, where one local language has no established words for what’s happening to the climate today. She explains how religious language and how time is understood can [make comprehending climate change harder]( in many cultures – at least in the way climate change is commonly talked about today. Mori describes how a few groups are trying novel ways to bridge the language divide. This week we also liked articles about the electoral math that makes [winning Pennsylvania so crucial]( for either of the main presidential candidates, the reasons why [Israel’s pager attack violated international law](, and how [making students repeat a grade]( is counterproductive. [ [The best of The Conversation, every Sunday. Sign up here](. ] Stacy Morford Environment + Climate Editor Fishermen on Mayotte, where the local Maore language has no words to easily translate ‘climate change.’ Mwanasimba via Wikimedia [Lost in translation: What spirituality and Einstein’s theory of time have to do with misunderstandings about climate change]( Miki Mori, Université de Mayotte On an island off Africa where one of the local languages has no established words for climate change, a researcher discovers lessons for everyone in discussing climate change. One hemisphere has summer, while the opposite has winter. Prasit photo/Moment via Getty Images [Why can’t it always be summer? It’s all about the Earth’s tilt]( Stephanie Spera, University of Richmond The tilt of the Earth and your distance from the equator are just 2 reasons why summer’s not year-round. Police officers stand guard prior to Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Johnstown, Pa., on Aug. 30, 2024. Justin Merriman/Getty Images [Why Pennsylvania is the key to a Harris or Trump Electoral College victory]( Alauna Safarpour, Gettysburg College Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are spending an awful lot of time in Pennsylvania. Why? Because Pennsylvania voters hold one set of keys to the White House. - [Gentrification isn’t inevitable − it can hinge on how residents view their neighborhood]( Elizabeth Korver-Glenn, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Sarah Mayorga, Brandeis University A case study of a mainly Latino neighborhood in Houston shows that when residents value a neighborhood as it is, they can forestall large-scale redevelopment. - [Pager attack on Hezbollah was a sophisticated ‘booby-trap’ operation − it was also illegal]( Mary Ellen O'Connell, University of Notre Dame International law clearly states that hiding explosives in objects that could be picked up by civilians is strictly prohbited. - [Why holding kids back fails − and what to do about it]( Laura Link, University of North Dakota; Diana D'Amico Pawlewicz, University of North Dakota The practice of holding kids back a grade is becoming a more popular solution to address low achievement scores. But research suggests it often does more harm than good for students. - [Invasive caterpillars can make aspen forests more toxic for native insects – a team of ecologists explains how]( - [How the Israeli settlers movement shaped modern Israel]( - [‘They’re eating pets’ – another example of US politicians smearing Haiti and Haitian immigrants]( - [What are halal mortgages?]( - [How researchers measure wildfire smoke exposure doesn’t capture long-term health effects − and hides racial disparities]( - [Immigrants are unsung heroes of global trade and value creation]( - [50 years after the first procedure, Tommy John surgery is more common than ever − especially for young athletes]( - [Wind phones help the bereaved deal with death, loss and grief − a clinical social worker explains the vital role of the old-fashioned rotary phone]( - [Rare Florida fossil finally ends debate about how porcupine jaws and tails evolved]( The Conversation News Quiz 🧠- [The Conversation U.S. weekly news quiz]( Fritz Holznagel, The Conversation Here’s the first question of [this week’s edition:]( Besides doing the voices of Darth Vader in "Star Wars" and Mufasa in "The Lion King," James Earl Jones voiced what three-word phrase heard often on TV? - A. "Only on HBO" - B. "This is CNN" - C. "Obey your thirst" - D. "Snap, Crackle, Pop" [Test your knowledge]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [Giving Today]( [New!] • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Follow us on social media: • [Bluesky]( • [Mastodon]( • [Threads]( • [Nostr]( • [LinkedIn]( • [Instagram]( • [Facebook]( • Or [get a daily text from us]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to [help you make sense of our complex world](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](