For the multimodal project, my classmates and I were assigned a position paper, a flyer with a voice-over, and an oral presentation. A position paper has an arguable opinion about a science-related issue or topic. Its genre conventions include thesis/stance, logical and abstract truths, and counter arguments.Flyers are papers with short, concise informational deliverance of a topic. The genre conventions for it are easy-speaking, short but substantial information, and its mostly for the general public.

To revise this project, I first checked for grammar mistakes, and like always, there were quite a few. I also added another practice “composting” to my introduction so the audience will know I have more knowledge about the topic, thus making my argument stronger.

POSITION PAPER:

The True Key to the Conservation of Earth

Due to substantial consumption and poor treatment of the environment over the past centuries, the Earth is in its final stages of life. This is evident through the extreme natural disasters we’ve been encountering, unnecessarily hot days, and other catastrophic effects of global warming and climate change. These abnormal occurrences are primarily due to the destruction of the ozone layer. The ozone layer protects our planet from the Sun’s ultraviolet rays and deteriorates by greenhouse gases. (Gillespie et al.) Another factor in these occurrences is unmanageable waste. The overproduction of plastics and non-biodegradable materials leads to landfills, air pollution, and also water pollution. How do we prevent these dangerous occurrences? By simply, conserving the Earth. Environmental conservation involves practices protecting Earth’s environment and natural resources. (Leverage et al.) These practices include but are not limited to, recycling, composting,  conserving water, and planting trees. Although they are all great, they are not effective for every community due to limitations. The most effective environmental conservation practice for low-income, urban communities is recycling. 

Recycling is broken up into three steps: collecting and processing, manufacturing, and purchasing recycled products. Collection and processing involve garbage truck collection, drop-off centers, and refund machines. The gatherings are then sorted, cleaned, and manufactured into new materials such as water bottles or cans. (EPA et al.) After manufacturing, the recycled materials are bought and the process starts all over. If we do not recycle, the landfills we already have would gradually get worse. Landfills take up space that can be used for more beneficial use, such as farms. Since the materials we recycle are non-biodegradable, there is no other place they can end up besides landfills and unfortunately the ocean. Not only this but, these materials carry toxic chemicals and this can contaminate our water supply. 

One reason why recycling is the most effective environmental conservation practice for low-income, urban communities is because they can receive refunds and save money while doing it. In very fine print, you will find the words “5 cents REFUND” on a water bottle, glass bottle, or can. In most states, there is a bill passed that allows deposit initiators to collect at least a 5-cent deposit on each recyclable sold from each dealer. Consumers buy the recyclable and pay the deposit back. They can receive a refund if they return the recyclable back to a collection center. Dealers and redemption centers are also reimbursed the five cents. (DEC et al.) In urban cities, it is easy to find one; they are usually at a local supermarket. In New York’s bottle bill, the eligible bottles are carbonated drinks (soda, juice, tea, & energy drinks), sparkling water, soda water, beer and other malt beverages, mineral water, wine products, and water (DEC et al.) Since low-income, urban communities have a hard time earning money, the refunds from recycling will add more value to the neighborhood because the refund money is circulating between the consumers and dealers. 

Another reason why recycling is the most effective environmental conservation practice for low-income, urban communities is because it isn’t time-consuming. Urban communities are very fast-paced environments. A “day in the life” for these neighborhoods only includes school or work, errands, and very little leisure time. Recycling allows these communities to practice it and incorporate it into their daily routine. As mentioned previously, recyclables can be collected at redemption centers, some are located at grocery stores and supermarkets. So while shopping, people in the community can distribute their eligible bottles, glasses, and cans. (DEC et al.) This fits right into their errand time. Garbage collectors also collect recyclables. When people in these communities put their trash outside to get collected, they can simply put their recyclables there as well. To save even more time, they can sort their recyclables from their trash in different bins at home. 

It is simple to think that these communities could just plant trees. Planting trees helps air pollution on Earth, which most low-income areas suffer from. It provides more food and oxygen, which also relatively helps save energy. (NOAA et al.) This is true and in order to fulfill this environmental practice, these neighborhoods need background knowledge when it comes to planting. However, considering they are located in urban areas, this knowledge may be very limited, especially if some people do not have their own backyards (the majority of people in cities rent houses or live in apartments). The government usually helps plant trees, but also taking environmental racism into consideration, the chances of them helping are very slim. Environmental racism is defined as the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of color. These hazards include air pollution, water pollution, and inadequate access to healthy food. (Greenaction et al.) The water crisis in Flint, Michigan is a perfect example of environmental racism. The city changed its municipal water supply source from Lake Huron water to the Flint river. The water pipes then corroded leading to lead and other contaminants entering the drinking water supply. It took two years of protesting and donations for the city to regain its clean water from the government. (CDC et al.) This being said, the government tends to be unreliable for low-income communities. Recycling can be practiced without direct help from the government. People can practice it independently in their own homes and in most public spaces.

In conclusion, the most effective environmental conservation practice for low-income, communities is recycling. This is because it is beneficial to not only the environment but the communities’ economy. These neighborhoods are able to receive refunds for every recyclable bottle or can they distribute at their local redemption center. Recycling is also the most effective practice for these communities because it is not time-consuming. Low-income, urban areas tend to be very fast-paced with little leisure time. Recycling can be done while taking out the trash or while grocery shopping. Some might argue that planting a tree is the most effective, however, these communities can lack knowledge about planting. Not only this, but the government tends to be unreliable when helping low-income communities because of environmental racism. Recognizing the right environmental practices for each person or community is the true key to the conservation of the Earth. 

FLYER:

 

ORAL PRESENTATION SLIDES:

 

References

CDC. Flint water crisis. (2020, May 28). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/casper/pdf-html/flint_water_crisis_pdf.html

Community Action Works. Waste: The problems with landfills and incinerators. (n.d.). https://communityactionworks.org/issues/waste/

DEC. Frequently asked questions about the bottle bill – NYS Dept. of environmental conservation. (n.d.). New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/57687.html

DEC. Recycling and composting – NYS Dept. of environmental conservation. (n.d.). New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/294.html

Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Recycling Basics. EPA. Retrieved November 29, 2022, from https://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics 

GLSEN. The Earth is dying, here’s what you can do. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2022, from https://www.glsen.org/blog/earth-dying-heres-what-you-can-do 

Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice. Environmental justice & environmental racism. (n.d.). https://greenaction.org/what-is-environmental-justice/

Leverage EDU Environmental conservation. (2022, August 20). https://leverageedu.com/blog/environmental-conservation/

NOAA Antarctic ozone hole slightly smaller in 2022. (n.d.). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/antarctic-ozone-hole-slightly-smaller-in-2022