We were asked to read two articles one was “On Buying Local” by Katherine Spriggs and the other was “What’s Eating America” by Michael Pollan. In the article “On Buying Local,” Spriggs showed a great use of logos when she stated that it was better for us to buy locally because it was better for the environment. Spriggs gives us several reasons why we should give up “a little bit of convenience” in favor of helping the environment. Farmers wouldn’t have to lose their farms to larger farms, smaller farms could be more sustainable by using natural and local resources, and there would be fewer emissions. This idea has been meeting with some opposition people worry of economic damage, but Spriggs has shown the argument and counterarguments with the proof of how the argument is flawed.
The environment was just one of many reasons Lyddie should have signed the petition. This one is another. It tires her to the point of passing out. She works 13-14 hours a day with only a mere breakfast break and then a lunch one later on. On top of already bad enough hours, her pay is less than
The visual essay “Apples to Oranges” by Claire Ironside presents the reader with a series of infographics displaying the environmental impact of industrially farmed, non-local produce. The author attempts to approach the audience using primarily facts and statistics. Despite these efforts, the essay lacks an explicit statement of the author’s argument, while the infographics used are ambiguous and misleading. The obscure images, lack of logical connections and absence of an explicit claim leave the reader more confused than persuaded. These problems require the reader to infer most of the information and context, which is contradictory to the purpose of a visual medium.
(Lappe). Coline Serreau in her movie Local Solutions to a Global Disaster interviewed local farmers. One farmer who did not use chemicals on his crops, claimed that his harvest was better than his neighbor who had used chemicals on his crops, so it appears that the world’s hungry can be fed with the use of organic agriculture. Yet Paarlberg contends that the green revolution is a failure. In Rome there was meeting of five hundred NGO’s such as Friends of the Earth and Greenspace, agreed that the Green Revolution was probably not the best course of action and may have contributed to the rise in world hunger.
The article was written in response to the statement farming and food production is leading to climate change. Niman, being a rancher who raises cattle, goats, and turkeys, effectively frames the situation logically by providing credible statistics and examples to help the reader better understand the impacts of different methods of food production. She does this by providing specific information regarding the greenhouse gases involved, being carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides. Niman, the rhetor, has written this article to try and inform the readers about the differences between traditional style and industrial style methods of food production. She has directed the article towards those concerned about the carbon footprint, we as individuals, are leaving
Rachele Liba Professor Whitehead POSC 100 22 July 2016 Placing a Price on a Green Nation Having lived a nomadic lifestyle across the United States, I have had the opportunity to witness the wonders of our flourishing society and the everyday turmoils that we face. Rigorous innovation has helped Americans fulfill countless dreams, however with every gift there is a usually a price-tag or opportunity cost. Now in the midst of the general presidential election, platforms that represent our beliefs can undergo much needed reform to address the opportunity costs that were surpassed in the process of success. Among the various problems found in our society, a key movement that has raised necessary controversy has to do with environmental policy.
“Why Bother” Michael Pollan’s essay “Why Bother” claims both sides of the argument of why people should take action to change their daily lives that will help the environment or if it is a wasted effort to try to change the things that have been done. Pollan repeatedly asks the reader a specific question throughout the essay: Why bother? Why bother slowing down global warming? Why bother walking to and from to make one’s self carbon footprint better? He asks these questions over and over to make the reader engage and think about the environment.
A well-known author and environmental critic and activist, he holds nature and its conservation very close to heart. As such, he chose to write this piece in order to persuade, or rather rally, its readers to his cause; a large one at that. His piece discusses how people’s constant demand for both technology and innovation has taken a toll on the environment. His belief that, “A good future is implicit in the soils, forests, grasslands, marshes, deserts, mountains, rivers, lakes and oceans that we have now,” (Berry 24-29) a statement that exemplifies his cause. However, like Kennedy does in his own struggle, he targets those he opposes, arguing “The higher aims of “technological progress” are money and ease.”
“Being Green at Ben and Jerry’s” Will’s use of analogy makes the essay interesting; it shows the reader how little the influence drilling would have on the ANWR. Will also makes excellent use of facts and statistics to persuade the reader that drilling in the ANWR would not be a bad thing. He also makes comments about environmentalists and their opinions, which makes the reader interested in his acknowledgment of his opposition, also making him a more credible source. In order to be more persuasive, Will needs to clearly state his position regarding the argument, as well as using more emotional appeal. Dear Representative, farming is by far the greatest industry in New Zealand.
A strong suggestion Pollan encourages, to his readers, is gardening. Gardening soothes the soul, produces more local produce, and reduces ones ' carbon footprint according to Pollan. Throughout the article, Pollan shows he understands that to make a differnece about climate change it may be difficult and a long process but is possible. By adding humor, specific diction, and concessions Pollan can make his argument in why we, as a society, should bother to do something about climate change. In the article "Why Bother?", Michael Pollan discusses the issues of climate change and why individuals should do something about it.
For instance he considers Joel Alatin's opinion about "vegetarian utopia" that it is supported by animal rights activists,although it is a fact that in some places people cannot grow crops because the environment is not able to do it and the author has witness this in his own country where rain does not occur enough to grow crops. "Vegetarian utopia" illustrates a place where people stopped eating meat, but then they would need enormous portions of vegetables which would be unnatural and bad for the health of the environment as farmers would use chemicals to adapt in the new increased demand which would harm the earth and all the living organisms that live upon it. With logos the author wins his audience trust and inclines them to his ideas by leading them with reasons and using
It is here contradictions emerged how best to prevent future environmental harms. Progressive-era conservationists concerned with protecting the nation’s public lands, in contrast, New Deal reformers advocated agricultural reform but focused on privately owned lands (Dunaway, 2005; Jacoby, 2001). They looked to past civilizations to better understand how to avoid ecological ruin such as flood control, soil erosion, and farming techniques. Even today, politicians and many in society are
This documentary unfairly stated that cattle is the sole factor of our world’s environmental issues because they emit greenhouse gases and over-consume water. However, in reality they are not the only ones who are using water, creating greenhouse gas, and affecting the land and ocean. Our planet is facing a lack of water, and according to the documentary, the cows are one of the major causes of this. If the problem is water waste, then look at how we, the people, are using it. Almost everybody uses water to shower, wash dishes, and flush toilets everyday.
Review of Literature 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. Leydier & Martin (2013) also states that, “despite the increasing expression of concern in political and media debates about issues such as climate change, pollution and threats to biodiversity, “political ecology” (operating at the confluence of scientific developments, political engagement and ethical debates) is still trying to find its bearings” (p.7). It is quite evident that environmental issues are not treated in equivalence to political, economic, social or even religious issues.
According to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) “A green economy is one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one, which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive. ” This states that green economies are not based on demand for sacrifice, but on the idea of qualitative growth, where low-carbon and environment friendly technologies are utilized as well as international cooperation plays a key
