In this assignment, we are going to critic an example essay I will give you all to look over before criticizing. The requirements below are
Thesis
Argument/Organization
Evidence
Prose Quality/Writing
Spelling Grammar.
Be sure to give it all you can
The impact of human activities on the natural environment has become a growing concern in recent times. Environmental writers like Mike Davis and Mark Arax explore this issue by examining the relationship between humans and nature and how it has changed the Earth. In this essay, I will summarize my understanding of their argument and explore how the idea of “mythic California,” as discussed in our first Discussion and as reflected by writers like John Muir, has influenced Arax and Davis.
Davis and Arax argue that human activities have significantly altered the natural environment, resulting in negative consequences such as climate change, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity. They believe that humans are responsible for protecting the environment and that this can be achieved through a more sustainable approach to resource use. They also highlight the socio-economic implications of environmental degradation, arguing that those most affected are often marginalized communities who lack the resources and power to address these issues.
For example, California is a major producer of crops such as almonds and avocados, which require large amounts of water to grow. Through their writing, Arax and Davis raise awareness about the negative consequences of human activities on the environment. They use examples from California to illustrate the impact of development and agriculture on the natural world, such as the loss of wetlands in the San Francisco Bay Area and the decline of native species.
They also highlight the socio-economic implications of these issues, particularly for marginalized communities. For example, the overuse of water resources in agriculture has led to decreased water availability for communities in areas such as the Central Valley, where many low-income farmworkers live. Arax and Davis challenge the mythic view of California as a pristine natural paradise by drawing attention to the impact of human activities on the environment. They call for action to address these issues and for a more sustainable approach to development and agriculture in order to protect the natural world and improve the well-being of human populations. The writers also highlight the negative consequences of environmental degradation, including the socio-economic implications of these issues for marginalized communities. Arax, in particular, focuses on agriculture’s impact on California’s environment.
Davis highlights the effects of intensive farming practices on soil health, water use, and biodiversity. He also critiques the influence of agribusiness and its political power, arguing that this has resulted in a lack of political will to address these issues. In contrast, Davis looks at the broader impact of urbanization and industrialization on the environment. He examines how these processes have led to the depletion of natural resources and the destruction of ecosystems. The term “mythic California” refers to a popular view of California as a pristine natural paradise, characterized by endless sunshine, beautiful beaches, and abundant natural resources. This view of California has been perpetuated in popular culture, including movies, television shows, and literature, and has been promoted by the state’s tourism industry. However, Arax and Davis challenge this view by highlighting the impact of human activities on the environment.
They argue that the development of California has resulted in the destruction of natural ecosystems and that the state’s current agricultural practices are unsustainable. They use their writing to raise awareness about the negative consequences of human activities on the environment, challenging the idea of California as a pristine natural paradise.
For example, they point out that the loss of wetlands in the San Francisco Bay Area and the decline of native species have significantly impacted the region’s natural environment. In addition, they note that California’s current agricultural practices, which prioritize the production of water-intensive crops such as almonds and avocados, have led to overuse of water resources and environmental problems such as depleted aquifers and decreased water quality. Arax and Davis also highlight the socio-economic implications of these issues, particularly for marginalized communities. For example, the overuse of water resources in agriculture has led to decreased water availability for communities in areas such as the Central Valley, where many low-income farmworkers live.
They call for a more realistic and sustainable approach to development and agriculture in order to protect the natural world and improve the well-being of human populations. The argument put forth by writers like Mike Davis and Mark Arax centers around the impact of human activities on the natural environment and how these interactions with nature have resulted in significant changes to the Earth. Both writers emphasize the importance of protecting the environment and the need for a more sustainable approach to resource use.
The idea of “mythic California,” as discussed in our first Discussion and reflected by writers like John Muir, has influenced Arax and Davis in their work. Muir, known as the father of the national parks system, wrote extensively about the natural beauty of California and the need to preserve it. He celebrated California as a kind of Edenic paradise and helped establish California as a place of natural beauty and wonder. Arax and Davis, however, challenge this mythic view of California by highlighting the impact of human activities on the environment. They argue that the development of California has resulted in the destruction of natural ecosystems and that the state’s current agricultural practices are unsustainable. They use their writing to raise awareness about the negative consequences of human activities on the environment, challenging the idea of California as a pristine natural paradise.
In conclusion, they are influenced by the idea of “mythic” California” but challenge this romanticized view of the state by highlighting the negative consequences of human activities on the environment. Their work raises awareness about these issues and advocates for a more sustainable development model that prioritizes the planet’s long-term health over short-term economic gain. Their writing raises awareness about the negative consequences of environmental degradation and the socio-economic implications of these issues for marginalized communities. They call for action to address these issues and a more sustainable approach to development and agriculture in California.