Josh Kuikman
The island of Kiribati, a Micronesian island of 100,000 people, is the first nation of the world that is predicted to disappear. In 1999, Tebua Tarawa and Abanuea, two islets of Kiribati, were consumed by the Pacific Ocean and Kiribati itself is predicted to disappear by 2100. In the article, “Climate Change Impacting World’s Most Vulnerable Nation’s Fresh Water: World Leaders at Economic Summit and UN Climate Talks Urged to Act”, MD Kensington writes about climate scientists and the environmental leaders who are urging the U.N. to address the issues of water scarcity and climate change by focusing on the plight of Kiribati. Kensington’s argument in this article is that climate change is forcing the biggest moral challenge that humans face in our century. He also argues that it is important to address this problem now. Although Kensington is addressing an important topic, it is my opinion that he presents his argument in an unconvincing and weak way. He never makes a strong argument clearly linking the problems of the Micronesian island to climate change and so leaves the possibility open for a counter argument that other factors may be to blame.
Kensington begins by highlighting some of the key concerns that experts and scientists are bringing forward at the summit. He does this by quoting the words of environmental leaders speaking out on the issue. For example, Rabbi Warren Stone is quoted as saying that, “The Micronesian Island nations are the world’s first environmental refugees. It is the moral responsibility of world leaders, both at the Economic Summit in Seoul and the UN climate talks, to act now to protect future generations and the world’s creation from climate devastation” (“Climate Change”, 2010). The article continues in this fashion with quotes from a variety of experts in the field. In my opinion, this is not an effective way to try to prove his point because it is difficult to tell the key point he is trying to highlight. Each person he quotes talks about something slightly different and it is hard to piece together the message. For example, at the beginning of the article Kensington states that bold action needs to be taken to alleviate water scarcity and other problems caused by global climate change. Although he makes this statement, he does not mention any possible action that can be taken to solve the problem. This issue is only briefly addressed again later in the article when he mentions that the people of Kiribati do not have clean drinking water due to contamination from the salt water of the ocean. This approach leaves the reader with no clear picture of either the problem, its relationship to Kiribati or any potential solutions.
Kensington writes in such a way as to persuade the reader into sympathizing for the people of Kiribati. He paints a picture of Kiribati that is similar to that of a starving child in Africa with flies crawling over him. Although this makes you feel concern for the people of Kiribati, it will do little to effect real change in society or their governments. At most people may be willing to donate a few dollars but will then quickly forget about their suffering. This is shown when he quotes the Minister of the Environment of Kiribati, Michael Foon saying, “Our children have no water! How many more of our children will die because they have no access to fresh water” (“Climate Change”, 2010). Kensington’s attempt to gain sympathy for the people in the Micronesian island of Kiribati falls short, making the article weak.
I agree with the author that something should be done to help the nation of Kiribati but I think he could have done a better job of winning over his audience. Although citing different experts is a good way to make a strong argument, this article was not effective in then drawing the links between the issues of climate change and the crisis on Kiribati. A definitive cause and effect relation is never established. If I was to write this article I would start by writing about the Micronesian nation of Kiribati and the effects of global climate change on it. Then I would write about the upcoming Economic Summit in Seoul and the U.N. Climate talks. Finally, I would finish it off with what can be done to help solve this problem. I would top it all off by using quotes from various environmental leaders in the appropriate places to both strengthen and support the claims that were being made. This would create a stronger argument which gives reliable information to the reader and helps them make an informed decision about the issue.
Reference List:
“Climate Change Impacting World’s Most Vulnerable Nation’s Fresh Water: World
Leaders at Economic Summit and UN Climate Talks Urged to Act” (November 6,
2010). PRWeb. Retrieved November 7, 2010, from http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/
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