Global warming, climate change, global climate change — so 2004. The hipsters are now calling it “climate variability.” Or, well, at least a few Bush admin spinmeisters are hoping they will be ‘ere long.

In Buenos Aires earlier this month, when they weren’t busy stymieing progress on Kyoto, U.S. reps were trying to get folks jazzed about the fresh coinage “climate variability.” So much more pleasing to the ear than those stilted, passe climate phrases of yore. After all, variety is the spice of life!

Look forward to a lot of spicy weather ahead.