“Stuff” seems to be the root of many of our contemporary problems. Yet most of us seem to want more and more of it. Bigger, better, and nicer stuff! The problem? Eventually all of this stuff or all of these products break down, wear out, or fail to be of use or keep our interest. Sometimes we simply want the new model. So we wade ankle deep through our accumulated stuff, and when we’ve finally had enough, we pack it into our large garbage cans and recycling receptacles and someone takes it away. But it doesn’t simply “go away,” as we might think or hope, so where it goes is worth examining.
In this research essay we will be exploring the problem of waste or garbage: how much we produce and what we do with it. We will explore the various ways people in six countries deal with it: dumping it in landfills, burning it in incinerators, and/or recycling or re-using it. Since there is no perfect solution for dealing with waste, we will also consider how we can learn to reduce it. Here is your assignment, step by step.
First
The link to the following Washington Post essay/video on this problem will be our starting point. After seeing the introductory video, you will need to scroll down that page so you can see the commentary and additional videos about the cities: New York City, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Sao Paulo, Lagos, Jakarta.
https://www.washingtonpost.
Second
Read the article on the waste problem in Lebanon.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/
Third
After viewing the videos and commentary on the six cities, and the article on Lebanon, select one of these seven cities to research. You will need to add to your knowledge by searching out articles and commentaries that further discuss the waste problem in “your” city.
Many good articles about these contemporary problems can be found in the New York Times and The Washington Post. You can go to those sites and use their search engines to look for articles on “your” city and its waste problem. You should also use other data bases as well. Even Google may help you find some good information. Or try National Geographic. Or the data bases at any library.
Your essay on the waste problems of the city you choose, should do all of the following:
discuss the extent of the problem(s): its severity, its effects, etc.
discuss the history (e.g. growth) of the city that has led to the severity of the waste problem(s)
discuss the ways in which government officials are trying to deal with the waste problem(s)
discuss the ways (if any) individuals are trying to deal with the waste problem(s)
discuss the obstacles in the way of successfully dealing with the waste problem(s). For example, are the incentives to change stronger than letting the waste conditions continue? Who benefits or at least isn’t harmed by the waste problem(s)? In other words, follow the money? Who profits from so much waste?
discuss how the waste problems of cities and countries are not isolated but related to the lifestyles and actions of other people in other cities and countries.
Please note: This is not a “solution” paper in which you are asked to recommend a way of solving these waste problems. You are merely reporting on the issue.
——————————
Use accredited secondary source material to find your information, which should be cited in your essay. Few if any quotations should be used. Instead put the information into your own words.
Above all, your essay should be an interesting and relaxed (meaning non-stilted) discussion in your own words of these issues.
——————
Your essay should be 5-7 pages in the MLA format. Twenty-five point deductions will be given if the essay (including the first page–see below) is not presented in the MLA format and the citations–both in text and one the Works Cited page–do not follow the MLA format.
Use the following link to see the MLA format:
https://mlaformat.org/the-
0 comments