Summary Of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge By Jimmy Carter

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In Jimmy Carter’s foreword to Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Season of Life and Land, A Photographic Journey, he argues the reason why the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge should not be developed as an industrial site. The former U.S. President signed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, which safeguards at least 100 million acres of parks, forests, and refuges in Alaska, as a monumental Legislation. To strengthen his argument, Carter uses evidence that supports his claims along with reasoning to connect the two, and uses pathos to appeal to the audience's’ emotion. Evidence and reasoning are used to support the claims that the Refuge should be kept a reserve. Carter states the evidence,“At best, the Arctic Refuge might provide 1 to 2 percent of the oil our country consumes each day,” followed by his reasoning, “Instead of tearing open the heart of our greatest regufe, we should use our …show more content…

The author writes of personal experiences and thoughts to show the importance of the Wildlife refuge in more than just a factual standpoint. Carter notes how disappointed and saddened he would be if the Refuge was destroyed, “Standing on the coastal plain, I was saddened to think of the tragedy that might occur if this great wilderness was consumed by a web of roads and pipelines, drilling rigs and industrial facilities.” This adds power to the argument furthermore, as he demonstrates his attachment to the area and animals living there, “During bright July days, we walked along ancient caribou trails and studied the brilliant mosaic of wildflowers, mosses, and lichens that hugged the tundra… we watched muskox, those shaggy survivors of the Ice Age, lumber along braided rivers that meander toward the Beaufort Sea.” This then gives us a connection to the Refuge so we are more affected to the possible outcome of it being built into an industrial