As a passionate vegan, interested in the future of our environment, I am interested in articles regarding America’s growing trash problems. I was curious to see what J. Winston Porter had to say about the subject in his article, “We’ll Trash USA Today, Too,” published in the newspaper USA Today.
As the attention getting title suggests, Porter questions what we are all doing about our mountains of trash and overflowing landfills. Most of us throw trash away without thinking twice about where it goes and what future generations will do with it. He continues by stating what is needed from all individuals, government and industry to control the growing problem. Porter uses information and persuasion techniques to convince the reader that action is needed. He is successful in showing the reader strategies that can be taken to improve the recycling and landfill problems. However, he is less successful in creating compelling strategy to involve the individual in larger government program. This leaves the reader feeling like they really can’t do much to help in the matter.
Porter begins by showing how landfill space is declining and the lack of awareness by the general public. He calls for a battle against trash before it engulfs us all and uses words such as, ”buried and wallowing in waste” (Porter).
Porter’s strategy for saving landfill space begins with public recognition, cooperative efforts, and adopting new attitudes towards recycling. He is asking us all to involve are self by adopting systems and working with state governments. He calls for every individual to involve themselves with industry and local government regulations.
In conclusion, Porter is very convincing at persuading the public to get involved at any level. I am persuaded to step up my efforts to recycle more diligently. Although I am persuaded to get involved personally, I find it difficult for the reader to feel that they can make a differences only being one person. As an