Environmental Protection

Main Objective: write an essay

Your essay should be 700-1000 words. It may use any combination of the writing modes in chapter 12 of the textbook but is mostly likely to use some of the following.

Narration
Description
Exemplification
Cause and Effect
Process
Classification (Links to an external site.)
The essay must have standard essay organization:

a substantial introductory paragraph with a hook, background information, and thesis.
at least three substantial body paragraphs, each with
topic sentences that connect to the thesis and set-up their respective paragraphs
supporting details that explain the main claim of that paragraph in your own words
Use a substantial conclusion paragraph that draws together the body paragraphs into one eloquent, coherent summary of the claims in the body paragraphs and offer context to the essay.
Correct grammar and punctuation are expected since this is a college course. Use MLA page formatting for the assignment.

Submit the journal as one document in docx format.

Topic of essay: environmental protection

Prompt: What have you done or currently do in your life to provide environmental protection and why? What will you do in the future to protect the environment and why?

Premise: Environmental protection is the responsibility of all people. We must protect the planet for not only us but also future generations; each of us is stewards of this space for only a century (if we’re lucky). There is a Greek proverb that says, “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” This proverb, of course, can be adapted to mean many things (politics, culture, etc.), but it can literally reference the stewardship of space we owe to future generations.

To that end, reflect on the steps you have taken in your life up to this point to protect the environment. It can take many forms including but not limited to diligently recycling, using reusable containers rather than using disposable, skipping plastic products instead of biodegradable ones, buying used rather than new products, reducing the chemicals you use on a daily basis, growing or hunting your own food, biking rather than driving someplace, carpooling, or choosing to buy a fuel efficient car. It may also include beach or wilderness clean-up, eco-vacationing, planting trees, farming, or using native plant species in your landscaping. It may involve your career if you are employed as a park ranger, city employee, law enforcement, scientist, or educator. It can take political slants such as voting for candidates to protect the environment in a way you feel is ethically responsible or being involved in environmental organizations. (There are many ways to protect the environment no matter on what side of the “global warming” debate you may be. This essay is not a debate about global warming.)

The second part of the essay should build on your previous experience with environmental protection from the past and propose (after thoughtful reflection) how you can make a greater impact with environmental protection in the future, for yourself, your kids (or future kids), and their kids and so on. You may find you feel a deepening sense of responsibility for the environment as you mature or you may find that a more casual concern is all you need to fulfill your responsibility. Either way, write a proposal of how you can realistically maximize your environmental impact in the future with the daily actions you take.

**NOTE: The blue words are links to resources to help you. Be sure to use them for guidance.**