We need to stop making plastic

Academic Level: Bachelor
Paper details v
English 1CNValter Research Essay
Ethics and Change
The question facing all of humanity iSZ What must be done to intervene in the climate crisis our species has precipitated? This is a daunting question.
to be sure, yet it demands proposals and answers- DiCaprio’s latest film Before the Flood (Nat Geo) tells it like it is- Prompt: Based on your own
research and the reading/viewing you have done for this course, construct a persuasive and powerful argument for action in your community (Los
Angeles. California, or the US). Make sure the basis of your claim is ethical, not just practical.
For example, you might argue for the immediate elimination of all plastic products, the banning of conventional gasoline powered cars. the
implementation of clean energy, the localization of food production, etc- You may direct your argument to a particular audience: the owner of Trader
Joes. Governor Brown. the PCC Board of Trustees. the President of the United States, and so on- A specific argument aimed at a particular
audience(which may take the form or an argumentative letter) is best. Avoid arguing for a minor change that is already underway, ie, recycling.
changing light bulbs. etc- Instead, tackle a major issue that we are avoiding. What are we most resistant to changing? What are the most urgent and
significant issueS? Choose your topic from these. The purpose of this project is not only to compose an effective argument based on solid research,
but also genuinely to make a difference outside the boundaries of a college course. By educating and enlightening your audience. you Will help
them to change not only What they do but also how they think. Once you describe the problem, its effects. and its solution. appeal to this audience
with a rational, ethical argument for change- Not how, but why: Why should they do what you propose? Why do you care? Why should they? Keep
this in mind: if the problem were easily solved, it would no longer be a problem- Therefore, in order to be persuasive, we must also demonstrate the
obstacles to change. What has prevented us from intervening in the climate crisis and your particular issue? Is it a lack of ethicS? Ignorance?
Political corruption or a failure of leadership? Economic forceS? Or a nefarious combination? Ultimately, your argument must address the conditions
that maintain the status quo and threaten life as we know it. Research Criteria: You should draw from the course materials and from scholarly
sources you find on your own. You must have at least 8 credible scholarly sources- Your goal as a researcher is to become an expert on your
subject and to integrate into your essay the facts necessary to convince a skeptical audience- You should have relevant and up to date information-
Evaluation: Essays Will be evaluated on the basis of originality. persuasiveness, knOWIedge and understanding, quality research and documentation.
grounding in course materials, and clarity- Length: 6-8 pages (1500-2500 words)