From the beginning of every single person’s life, they are presented with stories from past generations that precede their actual experiences with the current state of the natural world. This first impression of the environment is often not aligned with the more updated information, and the huge issue facing the world today is that there are still multitudes of people who are not psychologically understanding or wanting to reform climate change. In “The key role of causal explanation in the climate change issue,” author and researcher Francesca Pongiglione declares that no change will be made to the current environment unless knowledge about the causes of climate change and the methods in which they can be countered are emphasized. Pongiglione insists that “if people are not aware of the actual …show more content…
Just like every other first-year college student around the world, I make my own decisions regarding my ecological footprint. Although the opinions of parents will still play a large role in my decisions, I am forming my own opinions, too. Every single person is capable of being a part of our “story,” (Kingsnorth and Hine 7) and when knowledge is spread, there is less of a dispute about the existence and “urgency” (Pongiglione 179) of climate change. Moving forward, though, it is the responsibility of “writers, artists, poets and storytellers of all kind” (Kingsnorth and Hine 8) to make the “31%” of the US population who believe that climate change “will not at all...affect their personal dimension” (Pongiglione 180) understand that one day it will. Proactivity should be encouraged, and the possibility of turning things around should be highlighted so that we can remain prideful in our “belief in” our society and civilization as well as the “belief in its future” (Kingsnorth and Hine
The Temperatures are rising, carbon emissions are increasing, ice caps are melting at a faster rate than most scientists expected, and planet earth is experiencing ecological and environmental issues due to global warming. Earth as we know it might change drastically in the next couple of decades, and it is our responsibility to preserve the environment and preserve earth. Michael Pollan's Why Bother? opens the reader's eyes in a powerful way to global warming and related environmental crises. Pollan uses rhetorical strategies such as current and past events, logos and pathos to persuade the reader "to bother"(218) and start thinking of the environment as an issue that involves all the people. Pollan approaches the reader from different standing
Kevin Williamson writes in his essay “Apocalypse Soonish: The End Times Roll On” regarding the controversial discussion of climate change and humanity's’ love for apocalyptic drama. Williamson is an excellent writer who knows how to engage the reader with humor and wry comparisons as well as point out some obvious trends that show how dramatic some people can be regarding apocalyptic scenarios. However, his frequent disregard for the consequences of the warming's effects, inability to keep a concise argument and tone, and the recurrent misinterpretation of scientific findings, makes his paper difficult to take seriously. In “Apocalypse Soonish” Williamson compares previous hypotheses and estimations of the earth’s future to current studies
Gabbie Berg Edwin Elias SOAN 101 November 18th, 2017 Book Review The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert is a story about a journalist who seeks to investigate the sixth extinction and particularly what species are headed towards that fate. There are been a total of five mass extinctions so far, and Kolbert decided she could answer if there would be a sixth in this book. Kolbert begins her investigation by traveling to all different parts of the globe, from Peru to the Great Barrier reef in Austrailia.
I strongly side with the act of changing our habitats for the sake of helping the environment. I insist on helping our environment not because you achieve “a sense of personal virtue” (89). Too many times does one aim to create a monumental change without thinking, realistically, that our intentions are no better than those of someone who has no intent to change. Pollan begins to analyze when being environmentally aware of your actions became virtuous, noting writers from the Wall Street Journal to the New Yorker. He questions how doing the right thing in accordance to the environment’s well-being has now been labeled as a “mark of liberal soft-headedness”(89)
Al Gore, an elected official and environmental activist gave a speech in April 2004 at Yale University called, “The Climate Emergency,” which argued that there was an immediate need for a change in the rapid decline of our climate and environment at the hand of human actions. Through facts, statistics and appeals to his audience’s emotions, Gore shows that as a result of extreme climate conditions, our environment has taken a turn for the worse. Al Gore wanted to illustrate leading causes of negative climate change through the use of our rising population, new technology, and our way of thinking in order to prove that it is because of human action that we haven’t found a solution to this climate emergency. Gore’s educated audience at Yale
Michael Pollan publishes an inspiring article, "Why Bother?" to The New York Magazine in April 20, 2008. Pollan desires to discusses the problems with society and how climate changed can be impacted. With only a few words in one can tell how passionate Pollan is in illustrating his "why bother?" question.
Public attitudes about the environment in the early days changed with the 1962 publication of “Silent Spring,” by Rachel Carsen. This best-selling book raised awareness and concern for living organisms, the environment and links between pollution and public health in America and in 24 countries. The founder of the movement, U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson, envisioned public awareness leading to public
An ecological footprint is the impact of a person or community on the environment. All living things leave an ecological footprint and the important factor is how far, or permanent, it is. Many Americans are blissfully unaware of how their everyday choices effect the environment, that’s not to say that they don’t care, it’s simply to say that ignorance does not reap a pleasant harvest. However despite how many individuals fail to recognize the cancerous expanse of negligence, there are still those that strive to make a positive impact.
An appreciation for nature is instilled within a human being during their beginning years of life. Older generations teach younger generations what they have learned from their experiences in nature as a child despite the constant, ever-changing of the environment. Ever since the mid-twentieth century, the climate has been changing in ways that has the potential to one day threaten the lives of billions. Authors, such as Richard Louv, Jedediah Purdy, and Kalle Lasn, work to emphasize the downward fall that is occurring in society. Along with their opinions, my Mother also gave her input about the world today from a different point of view.
Sandra Steingraber is an ecologist and author who writes about the relationship between the environment and human health. Her written work titled “Despair Not” discussed how the murder of an abolitionist connects to the greatly relevant environmental crisis. No, the murder of one man did not ruin the environment, but the author uses this as a metaphor and connection between her personal experiences and current environmental and health issues. This method of persuasive writing has numerous advantages and disadvantages, therefore affecting its credibility. Two Crises, One Cause Steingraber writes that it is the time to face the environmental crisis in the spirit of Elijah Lovejoy.
The effects of climate change are asymmetrically felt across the world. Those who contribute the most to climate change generally do not suffer its effects, while those who contribute least feel its effects tenfold. Kyle Whyte explains this asymmetry is exactly what indigenous people face. In "Way Beyond the LifeBoat", Whyte argues that if the issues of colonialism and capitalism are not addressed in climate change mitigation tactics, the suffering of indigenous peoples will continue, just as if there was no action. Whyte's argumentation, use of allegory, and evocative language creates a piece that successfully conveys his thesis to those who have not considered the environmental justice aspect of combating climate change.
In the article ‘Why Bother?’ Michael Pollan, a Professor of Journalism at the University of California, examines the dangers of climate change and how ordinary citizens can reduce its effects on the environment. Although most scientists are concerned and have warned nations of its disastrous effects some still deny the existence of climate change. As if melting ice caps and the ever-increasing blue waters were not enough proof, some citizens believe that climate change is an “unproven theory or a negligible contribution to natural climate variability” (Hall 3). Nevertheless, citizens who believe in global warning can change how they live for the better.
To dive in deeper, Hill wonders if someone, “one who had a broad and deep understanding of his place in nature really be indifferent to the destruction of the natural environment?” (Hill 2008, pg 217). Hill argues that human beings need to understand that they are merely specks in the entire universe’s history. If they cannot do this, they will not have
B. Thesis: The causes of global warming and climate change are because of increased emissions of greenhouse gases, and the effects of this are rising temperatures and more severe natural disasters. II. Body A. Counter Claim: Most scientist and people believe that humans are the cause of global warming because of the emissions that they put into the air, but there is a small percentage of people who think that global warming is not caused by emissions at all. Support with MLA citation
Climate Change is one of the most unsettling problems mankind faces today. It leaves an impact on every single living thing, on every continent, no matter the privilege. Long term investment must be used to change the world. People must do more than just change out their light bulbs for eco-friendly ones, or drive fuel efficient cars. A choice as simple as changing our diets could reduce a human’s carbon footprint by fifty percent.