Tommy Arena's Response and Rhetorical Analysis

Tommy Arena

September 5, 2013

WRT 120-40

Response

            The chapter "Climate Wars and Climate Peace" in the book Making Peace with the Earth not only showed the changes to the glaciers in the polar regions but also displayed how the melting of the Himalayan glaciers could affect billions of people.  I was surprised to discover that some countries believed that some of the emission reducing accords were attacks to keep the wealthier countries in power.  I was much more interested in the possible results of the melting of the "third pole".  These are the Himalayan glaciers and if they melt it could be catastrophic.  The chapter deeply explained how the glaciers are used by billions of people within its water basin.  The glaciers feed many large rivers and the changes in weather patterns on the mountain range have caused many deadly flash floods.  These glaciers could be gone by 2030 and it is a big cause for concern.  I enjoyed reading this chapter and it made me want to do something to lower my emissions.

Rhetorical Analysis

Author: Vandana Shiva

Title: Making Peace with the Earth

Date of publication: 2013

Publisher: Fernwood Publishing

Tone, Syntax, Language: The tone is technical.  Shiva uses many organization acronyms and names that some people may not know the meaning.  Shiva uses specific examples to display the effects of climate change.  The language becomes easier to understand once Shiva begins to write about the damage that can occur due to the changes in weather patterns.

Intended Audience:  The intended audience for this chapter is people who are skeptical about global warming.  Also, the intended audience is people who do not know about the melting of the Himalayan glaciers. 

Context: This chapter includes information about climate change bills and accords proposed in the United Nations and some of the problems they face.  This chapter also includes information of how climate change will affect and has affected people who live near the Himalayas.

Purpose:  The purpose of this chapter is to inform and warn readers about the consequences of global warming. 

Authors Process:  Shiva has studied the effects of climate change around the world and has ran surveys to discover what percentage of springs have dried up.  The runs surveys to see if the water supply is being affected by the climate change.