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.
We are like boiling frogs, Failing to act against climate change. As the severity of the situation continues to increase the world is reaching catastrophic levels. The recent article, “It's not too late to stave off the climate crisis, U.N. report finds” by Lauren Sommer, uses persuasive language to alert the public that the time to act on climate change is now. The world has enough technology and solutions to fix this problem as stated in the article whilst the author uses pathos to help support the quote.
Within the last half century, the issue of Earth’s ability to sustain the swiftly expanding population has perplexed scientists and environmentalists. Now, as significant measures have been taken to alleviate the effects of modern life on the planet, writers such as Michael Pollan from New York Times Magazine, express their concern and ideas regarding the real predicament in easing global warming. In the article “Why Bother?” Pollan discusses how present-day society has specialized jobs so that everyone besides environmentalists leaves saving the planet up to the scientists, but if everyone contributes some, there could be a significant change in the efforts to save the planet. It is difficult for humans to even contemplate about attempting to help fix global climate change, while it is obvious that there are more people working against their efforts and living care-free of driving less or not eating meat and have no desire to help the scientists save the planet, as it is their job only.
Nature is an ever-changing system that we rely upon for the sake of our survival. We utilize its resources to benefit us in any way possible, including shelter, technological improvements, and domesticating plants and animals. With that being said, there is an ethical dilemma presented by our use of the land. Do we have the right to change the environment to benefit ourselves, or should we let nature run its own course and care for the land? The novel “When the Killing’s Done” by T. Coraghessan Boyle demonstrates this ethical dilemma through its main characters, Alma and Dave.
Devon McCann October 26, 2015 In Climate Matters: Ethics in a Warming World, John Broome goes beyond the scientific facts of climate change and describes different lenses, be it economic or moral thinking, to view the issue. Most everyone has heard the argument before that the economy is going to suffer due to climate change, however Broome's argument is an original one I had yet to hear. He argues that emissions of greenhouse gases cause external costs, which means they are inefficient in the sense that it is possible to make someone better off without making anyone worse off. In this case it would mean compensating those emitters who reduce their carbon emissions.
The human race has taken the planet under our control, but now we must keep the peace with the environment on which we so heavily depend--this is a crucial part of Elizabeth Kolbert’s main argument in her book Field Notes from a Catastrophe. However, while scientific evidence, climate models, and visible effects of global warming all work together in presenting a sound case for political action to be taken against further warming, there is a noticeable lack of actual policy-making. Kolbert points out that both the Clinton Administration and the Bush Administration failed to treat global warming as a political issue of top priority. Similarly, Fred Powledge highlights in his article “Scientists, Policymakers, and a Climate of Uncertainty” that current government officials continue to publicly question the validity of scientific evidence that proves human activity has directly affected the progression of climate change and actively cease to support legislation that works to mitigate further warming. While the majority of scientists agree that global warming is escalating at an unprecedented rate due to human activity, both Kolbert and Powledge agree that many politicians have yet to treat climate change as a serious issue that demands immediate action, and point out that some refuse to admit that it is even an
In the introduction of Michael Pollan’s Why Bother?, he addresses the title’s question , what he calls the “big question” that people concerned with the fate of the planet must face themselves. Through exploration of global warming and environmental crisis, Pollan’s desire is that his readers gain a deeper understanding to what “really is the big question facing us as individuals hoping to do something about climate change.” (Pollan 312) In expressing his goal of writing Why Bother?, Pollan greatly relies on ethos in the introductory to strengthen his argument. By asserting the different aspects, both scientific and personal, of global warming that he has considered and researched.
Allison Firriolo Ms. Bailey 2 March 2024 ENC 1102 Essay 2 The threatening idea of an apocalypse has risen, and it might happen much sooner than we all suspect it to. As Americans, we are made aware of the rapid incline in climate change affects, and how they are more unlikely to resolve. For those who read the articles, "Who is the We in We Are Causing Climate Change" by Genevieve Gunther and "Why Hope is Dangerous When it Comes to Climate Change" by Tommy Lynch, we are made aware that the cause of the issues regarding climate change is not specifically from humans, and more from big industries, but together we can work in a positive direction.
In the early 2000 Al Gore once said, “The planet is in distress and all the attention is on Paris Hilton.” In the same theme, Michael Pollan writes, “Why Bother?”, an article from The New York Times Magazine published in 2008 telling Americans they are too consumed with themselves and maintain a “cheap-energy mind”. And here, in 2016 climate change is seriously happening and the nation is still not addressing the gravity of the issue and why we should indeed bother to make changes. It is time that this nation discerns that climate change is real and it is happening as we speak. Climate change is a threat to each and every one of us and imperative to the survival of life on this planet.
Why has it been labyrinthine for climate change when nations after all worked together for ozone depletion? Referring to Klein’s arguments, and going back to previous statements , Klein’s book introduction sets up the premises and her own journey from denial to focusing on the climate crisis, and finally to seeing the potential of the climate justice movement to address the complex of issues presented by capitalist
Through reading the three chapters by Britt Wray, I am astonished at the thought-provoking exploration of the psychology of climate change. For Chapter 1, I loved how Wray introduced the concept of the “psychoterratic state,” referring to the psychological response individuals face to ecological crises. I find her exploration to be enlightening and deeply unsettling regarding eco-anxiety in its emotional and cognitive processes, as it showcases the reality of the existential dread many people experience with climate change and ecological collapse. What especially captivated me was the argument that these emotional responses to climate change are valid and important for driving personal and social change. When we take these types of issues into
While the humanities lens emphasizes the present and the future impacts of climate change on human values, the historical lens emphasizes the past and how human activity has contributed to climate change. The humanities are concerned with the human response to climate change and how it affects human well-being, while history is concerned with the evolution of human impacts on the environment. By examining my topic through these two lenses, I have gained a more comprehensive and holistic understanding of climate change and its impact on humanity. I have learned that climate change is not just a scientific issue but also a human issue that affects every aspect of our lives. Regarding the similarities and differences in how the lenses relate to my topic, the similarity is that both lenses provide a perspective beyond the scientific aspects of the topic.
Climate change is one among the most daunting threat to the environment today. It threatens not only the degradation of our health and environment, but it also impends to destroy the global economy and political security. In the United States, there are many steps taken to combat the threat caused by climate change. However, in the book entitled This Changes Everything, the author, Naomi Klein proposed that the attempt to work against climate change will surely fail, unless people will unite into a common understanding that it is a “part of a much broader battle of world views” (Klein 397). Further, while some people believe that there is no way to solve the current problem of climate change, the author suggested otherwise.
Oryx and Crake entails many themes pertaining to the ideas of: disease, human life vs non-human life, innocence, relationships, and immortality. All of these themes are prevalent throughout the novel and have a significant impact on both Jimmy and Snowman. Disease, the most prevalent and important theme throughout the book, is used to drive the plotline. Atwood uses disease to show the distinction between the past and the present.
“ I think a hero is any pearson really intent on making this a better place for all people” ( Maya Angelou). This quote explains my claim by proving the people that are heroes are those who affect our environment in little ways as well as big. When people think of heroes they think of those that have super powers like spiderman and superman and did major things to save the world, but real heroes are those that do small things to help us and our society. A true hero is an everyday person who helps people who can not help themselves, respectful to those around them, and is someone who makes the better or harder decisions. Some examples of the function of a hero in our society is an everyday person who helps people who can not help themselves, respectful to those around them, and is someone who makes the better or harder decisions.
