The Devil Is In The Generalities Summary

Donald Worster is an environmental historian and his book Dust Bowl: The Southern Plains in the 1930s helped to define the environmental history movement as it was the first environmental history book published. He breaks the stereotype of how the Dust Bowl was viewed by writing it from an environmental standpoint instead of writing a social history by focusing solely on the people and their experiences. How it helped to define the environmental history movement is that it opened up this avenue for others to write about environmental issues. He is also an anti-capitalist and this book combines his interest in the environment with the effect that capitalism has on the environment.

Bill McKibben and Derrick Jensen were born in 1960 in the U.S.A., and both have accomplished successful academic backgrounds. McKibben graduated from Harvard University in 1982, and Derrick Jensen graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a degree in Mineral engineering in 1983. Both are environmental activists and have written many articles and books. Two of their articles “Waste Not, Want Not” by Bill McKibben and “Forget Shorter Showers” by Jensen are published in the Bedford Reader book (557-567). When we analyze these articles both authors agree on consumers contribution to environmental pollution, but they have different points of views concerning whether individuals or industrialists cause more environmental pollution. Also, they have different suggestions to mitigate environmental pollution.

According to the article The Devil in Devolution, the “devolution revolution” is seen as, “The shift in government’s center of gravity away from Washington and toward the states…” which translate to the return of power from the federal government to the state government. In recent years, the author of the article (Donahue) believes that the states have been given too much power, and the power of the federal government has been declining.

Hawthorne, M. (2011, April 1). High levels of toxic lead found in air outside Chicago school.

In this essay, I will argue that the environmental and energy crisis of the 1970s, did usher in a period of decline in the United States. The beginning of the 1970’s was an era, where Americans were under-siege with energy and environmental decline.

Over the decades, the topic of the environment has always ended in endless arguments and debates. In Edward O. Wilson’s book The Future of Life, he satirizes two passages about stereotypes of environmentalists and people first critics. Using rhetorical questions, ad hominems, Irony, and logos, Wilson illustrates the unproductive manner of environmentalists.

In Rush Limbaugh’s “The environmental mindset”, Limbaugh introduces us to a very conservative view on environment change and how we have little to no effect on our climate(Limbaugh). In Rush’s article, he writes in a way to persuade people such as right wing conservatives, upper-middle class caucasian males, and politicians that can reinforce his notions. He solely relies on logos throughout the article, using no other credible sources other than himself with ethos and scarcely appealing to emotions in pathos. With the use of logic, word choice, and light humor, Limbaugh constructs an article that oversees the troubling problem of climate change.

Ecology of Fear by Mike Davis gives us a very real and perhaps over the top view at the trouble California’s environment is in but they provide interesting parallels to other issues in California. Arguments provided in Ecology of Fear are very fascinating for example is theory that Los Angeles being destroyed could be a metaphor to humans actually destroying the city and state. Mike Davis describes in his book how a woman describes animals like cougars as “serial killers” who’s numbers should be cut down but do not stop living or walking through their territory. Also he goes into detail about how humans put themselves in harms way by living in areas notorious for wildfire and earthquakes, and moving into territories

In matters of environmental preservation, one has two options; extol the virtues of economic expansion, or shelter the wounded environment- an angel and devil perched upon shoulders situation of sorts. In building his argument, human rights activist and 39th president of the United States of America Jimmy Carter displays a commendable zeal for his cause whilst skillfully utilizing the element of persuasion to transcend the “devil”. No one is blind to the suffering caused by environmental abuse, but Carter draws a dagger of emotion, veiled by stylistic phrasing and subtle remarks, and plunges it into the heart of his opposers with this passage, ensuring no blind eye may be turned to the fate of his country.

Al Gore Jr. was the forty-fifth vice president of the U.S. and is well-known for his environmental advocacy work and his famous writings on environmental issues (Weisser 101). In his article “Climate of Denial”, he describes how the world is very uneducated on the environmental issues of today. Through his article, he uses ethos, pathos, and logos to make his point. He also clearly expresses his purpose, the conflict, and his audience. Despite these proficient skills, if we unveil the true Al Gore, we will witness a man driven for greed, wealth, and power. In Al Gore’s article “Climate of Denial”, despite the fact that he uses rhetorical appeals, his argument is neither convincing nor effective.

A speech about poverty, protecting the environment, and attempting to end racial injustice was spoken at the University of Michigan, to the class of 1964. Lyndon B. Johnson, orator of this speech, hoped to inspire the next generation. Titled “The Great Society” Johnson’s first person narrative was meant to be relatable to all citizens. To me, the central message of this speech was to inspire young people to make a difference; due to the power we have over change.

Not all of America responded kindly to FSA’s photos and documentaries, or to the New Deal for that matter. Many claimed photographers and filmmakers along with Eastern bureaucrats sensationalized and “exaggerated the damage of the Dust Bowl, had vilified an entire region in order to score political points for the Roosevelt administration” (Dunaway, 2005, pp. 54-55). Though many alleged FSA photos were politically driven, Stryker held steadfast to his ideals and denied they served as government propaganda (Gordon, 2006; Brennen & Hardt, 1999; Stange, 1989). Some have argued the photos themselves were not propaganda, but became propaganda because of how they pushed a specific ideology on the public. Carlebach explains:

A. Restate Thesis to remind the audience of your position: It can be said from the previous examples that global warming and climate change are both caused by human emission of greenhouse gases which result in consequences such as warmer temperatures and severe natural disasters.

Climate change is currently being felt around the world and unless the developed world makes substantial changes to its selfish ways, we are all doomed to face the fires of hell on earth. One third of the earth’s land is currently threatened as what we do to the air, land and water affects the balance of ecosystems and ultimately the world.

Environmental issues began to be discussed and debated only towards the end of the 20th century. Since then significant amount of literature has been penned down raising awareness about issues of pollution, deforestation, animal rights and several others however it has failed to result in major changes, ideas or even actions to save the environment. Several species of animals have become extinct; pollution level is at an all-time high, global warming is leading to severe climate changes all across the globe but these problems do not seem to alarm the decision makers.