In WR 150, “Climate Change: Science and Action,” students grappled with the questions of how and whether our global society can mitigate and adapt to climate change. One of the greatest challenges of the course was for students to examine a real-world problem over which they as individuals have little control. It can be difficult to conceive of an original persuasive argument when you know from the outset that significant sociopolitical barriers stand in the way of implementation. While students weren’t required to present possible solutions, many did. A number of these solutions, Gregory Bond’s among them, were feasible, plausible, and expressed in a way the average educated adult could grasp without specialized knowledge.
Because of this accessibility, “Reforestation and Sustainable Investments” is more than a student’s successful assignment: it also exemplifies some of the real-world applications of classroom writing skills. Furthermore, this essay illustrates the author’s evolution, from a non-expert undergraduate student concerned about the topic and invested in learning more, to a knowledgeable science writer laying forth a fresh perspective on climate action.
Greg’s essay is a model of the kind of simple, clear logic necessary to bridge the gap between scientific inquiry and public understanding. This piece makes a complex subject simple and comprehensible. Greg worked hard over the semester to reach the point where he understood the nature and breadth of the problem, could synthesize an original approach from multiple sources, and could lead the reader to see exactly why a multifaceted approach to global warming mitigation could be, and perhaps one day will be, effective at stabilizing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
— SASHA VIVELO
WR 150: Climate Change: Science and Action