The Art and Challenge of Naming

Humans have always had a penchant for naming things, yet, admittedly, we occasionally miss the mark. Consider “climate tech”: a term that encompasses companies and technologies aimed at mitigating or reversing climate impact while aiding in adaptation to its changes. In just two words, it effectively captures the sector’s essence, surpassing its predecessor “clean tech,” which could have been mistaken for anything from robotic vacuums to novel household gadgets.

A Decade of Climate Tech

Climate tech has been around for about a decade now. As humans, we love to feel like we’re pioneering new frontiers, and with climate tech’s expanding scope, there’s been a push to explore alternatives. Enter “planetary health,” a term that emerged in 2014 from the medical journal The Lancet. Some investors embraced it as a way to address the broadening scope.

“Plenty of companies don’t address carbon pollution directly but focus on technologies that impact the planet positively.”

— Industry Insider

The Search for a New Name

Following recent political shifts, there’s been talk of distancing from the term “climate.” This change was already underway before these events. In five years, climate tech might bear a different name entirely. Several terms are being considered: “planetary health” leads the way with its clarity. However, it might not resonate with everyone.

• American Dynamism: Includes clean energy but is tied to specific venture capital narratives.
• Frontier Tech: Encompasses more than climate tech, potentially too broad.
• Critical Infrastructure: Aligns partially but doesn’t fully overlap.
• Deep Tech: Covers AI and quantum computing alongside climate tech.
• Growth Tech: Feels generic and doesn’t capture the core mission.

A Proposal for Resilience Tech

The term “resilience tech” might be more fitting. It succinctly encapsulates the drive behind these innovations: enhancing both global and human resilience. It’s not without flaws, and better terms may emerge, but it captures the essence we’re striving for today.