Environmentalism: Is The Earth Out Of Balance: Article Analysis

The environment is a topic that is often brought up and a subject most widely debated upon. We

often see it debated in our government and politics. Our environment is our concern as

inhabitants on earth. It is important and we should make it our business to care about our lands

and their well-being. The article “Environmentalism: Is the Earth Out of Balance?”, is a written

debate between writer Otis L. Graham Jr, the writer of “Epilogue: A Look Ahead” and

Environmental politics and policy, 1960’s-1990’s (Pennsylvania State University Press, 2000)

and Writer Bjorn Lomborg, the author of “Yes, It Looks Bad, But….,” “Running On Empty,”

Otis “ Why Kyoto Will Not Stop This,” and The Guardian(August 15, 16, and 17, 2001)

Otis L Graham Jr’s argument for

the topic of Earth’s balance is that “atmospheric pollution

affecting global climate habitat destruction [and] species extinction,” He argues that it is a

problem that is irreversible.

The intention of his article is to help us understand that although we

cannot see the harms physically right at the moment, our decisions on our lifestyles will have a

great effect and shape our environment later on down the road. Otis L. Graham also talks about

our use of nuclear power and how people only look at its technological benefits and how they

believe they outweigh the risks of the nuclear toxins. The writer brings to light the issue of the

toxins that the nuclear plants produce and if their dump sites are even safe for us and our

environment. How is the waste affecting us? Otis L. Graham used secondary sources in making

his point in this article. I do not feel he convinced me of his debate that our earth is unbalanced.

Reason being he did now provide scientifical evidence or stats to help back up his ideas. The

article produced seemed more of a “he said, she said” article and reflected only his ideas. I feel

the article would be more convincing if he actually proved how humans are destroying the

environment and exactly how along with strong

numbers.

On the other hand, writer Bjorn Lomborg took a different approach on environmentalism. In the

article he speaks of the issue but does not fail to leave the ugly facts in the dark. He says

“although there is room for improvement,” he does shine a positive light on how our Earth is

“only improving.” From world issues of pollution, agriculture, and poverty; “numbers increase

and decrease to balance themselves out all in the right areas needed.” He does not give into the

hysteria of media but takes matters into his own hands and does his share of research. Media

tends to over exaggerate things to make them look ten times worse than they really are. Bjorn’s

careful attention to detail and efforts in his research, he is able to shut down all the false

information and provide strong stats and facts from valid, well-known sources. Writer Bjorn

Lomborg did a fine job in persuading me his case that “it’s not that bad,” only because he was

able to back up his work and did extensive research on his case.