What's in a name? Shakespeare famously wrote: "That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." You'd have a hard time trying to argue the point.

BUT, suppose roses had been named "stinkbuds"?
Surely the smell would still be "as sweet", but all the same, I doubt that they'd be anyone's Valentines Day gift of choice. Names really do influence perception.

Recently, the Associated Press (AP) -- the gold standard for journalism -- buckled to pressure from those who have chosen to deny the internationally accepted and scientifically proven fact that our climate is changing. Instead of calling them deniers, as they had before, the AP has amended its stylebook and given them the friendlier name of "climate change doubters" or "those who reject mainstream climate science."

Please join me in asking the AP to reverse its decision to placate these truth-deniers. Words matter, and this issue is too important for the future of our planet.Journalists have a responsibility to speak the truth. It’s not their job to appease a fringe group of people who, whether for monetary or political gain, are choosing to deny this very scary, and very pressing, reality. the AP is at risk of tarnishing its reputation by giving credence to these truth-obscurers.

Climate change is real, and it is caused by human activity. There is no credible opposition to this fact in the scientific community. And those who choose to adopt the clearly irrational position that climate change is a hoax must accept the stigma attached to their actions.

We are asking the Associated Press to re-think this change to its stylebook. News organizations must maintain their independence and integrity by reporting honestly, despite pressure from extreme groups. Words Matter, Names Matter.

Help me send a message to the AP by signing my petition.