Ideological Criticism: Humans' Role in Environmental Issues

Introduction

Why I live a zero-waste life is the artifact I will be analyzing for this ideological criticism. Lauren Singer is an environmental scientist who is interested in studying ecology and ways to preserve an environment free from pollution. This young woman managed to stop using plastic and live without producing waste. Among the issues that we have to pay great attention to is plastic, one of the materials spread around us. Whether as waste or tools that we use for cooking and various purposes. Lauren studied the seriousness of plastic damage to the environment, people and the need to deal with waste in a specific way.

The second artifact that I will analyze for this ideological criticism is an organization that treat the damage caused by pollutants to the coral reefs. The importance of coral reefs lies in the fact that it is one of the most important species in which living organisms grow. As it is considered one of the most important sources of water food where large types of fish live in due to the presence of protection, food, and shelter. And, it also has a role in providing protection for marine coasts from high waves. The death of coral reefs is one of the phenomena of environmental pollution with plastic. The reason why these artifacts warrant an ideological critique is humans play a big role in most of environmental issues. Also, this topic is one of my interests as I am a student in environmental science.

Ideological Criticism

According to Foss, ideology means a system of interconnected ideas such as beliefs, traditions, principles, and myths that a particular group or society believes in. Ideology reflects and justifies its social, moral, religious, and economic interests. I will apply ideological criticism to better understand and evaluate the ideology of these two artifacts. The artifacts are making the argument that plastic harms the environment. So, the ideology in both artifacts is humans have the responsibility for Earth’s issues. The function of the ideology is persuasive. The risk of neglecting the environment is very huge. The artifacts persuade the audience to preserve the environment, which has many benefits. For example, preserving the diversity of animals, plants, and coral reefs. This critique will analyze how this ideology affects our lives, and what believes and values the people who believe in this ideology share. And will analyze the effects of the artifacts’ ideology.

Context of the Artifacts

In fact, the problem of environmental pollution has caused insomnia for the inhabitants of the planet. Considering that this is a problem facing them together, which has resulted in a situation of extreme fear for their future and the future of their children. All its interests are focused only on increasing the capital at the expense of all other considerations. “but things have changed, the reef is dying …” (Alexis Ren X Coral Gardeners | Save the reef, 2019). With all this renaissance in various sectors and fields, many problems that did not exist before emerged. One of the main consequences of pollution is the destruction of the planet earth, including its vegetation, imbalance of wildlife, animals, and marine life. And thus, the ecological balance, as well as the human life and the spread of diseases that afflict human life. This is due to the inhalation of polluted air by humans, plants and animals, and their drinking of unclean water. Also, their exposure to modern and dangerous types of pollution in recent years.

What or who is the number one cause of pollution? Human! Unfortunately, many people don’t have the knowledge of the damages of using plastic. Studies have proven the interaction of plastic with heat, especially that contains 'dioxin' results in severe risks to human health because the reaction results in the leakage of harmful substances into food or drink, which leads to serious diseases (Cancer Research UK, 2018). People pollute themselves and the environment at the same time by using plastic.

Is it possible to separate humans from nature? No! Humans play a role in the destruction of the Earth’s environment. This ideology affects our lives. As humans and industrial activity contribute to a shift in the shape of the earth and the speed of transformation. The most prominent evidence of this is climate change. In earlier periods of Earth’s history, wildlife was formed on its own without external factors, as nature was affected by volcanoes, rivers, and climatic changes. Today, humans directly affect nature. Because of the industrial lands, mines, plastic, and construction, many changes take place on the ground. At the present time, the Earth's layers change more than the changes that the Earth was witnessing without human intervention, in addition to the extinction of animal species.

The Ideological Believers

People who believe in this ideology share certain things. People should know what the causes of pollution are. By knowing that, the amount of plastic produced will be less and less. If people care about the environment and its health, an environmental information system will be established. Whose task is to define the relationship between the environment and human health and to determine the sources, type, and size of environmental pollution for each region and city. For example, environmental problems in the countryside differ from those in the city, as well as the environmental problems of an industrial city that differs from that of a commercial or agricultural city, and so on.

People who believe in this ideology will link the environment with society. Then, environmental problems can be identified, monitored, and dealt with on scientific and documented grounds that make us determine exactly how the environment affects the health of the individual and society and thus define strategies to combat and limit the problems. So, people have to know that they are the reason for everything happening around us.

Lauren Singer said “In order to go into the world and make it a more sustainable place …”. Humans are responsible to keep the world more sustainable. There are certain ways to save our planet Earth from pollution and other issues. Healthy disposal of waste. Singer also discussed some of the ways, for example, the reuse of some products and the balance between purchases and consumption. And finally spreading awareness among people and children.

Conclusion

The concept of ideology is very broad that bores many definitions, it has multiple uses as well. Ideology must be able to guide individuals’ assessments and persuade them into a specific thing. Human thoughts and principles in dealing with the surrounding, as this considers an individual ideology that belongs to a specific person. Ideology is everywhere; in movies, pictures, videos, poetry, and many more things. As mentioned, the ideology of the artifact is humans play a big role in most environmental issues.

Work Cited

1. “Do Plastic Bottles or Food Containers Cause Cancer?” Cancer Research UK, 31 July 2018, www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/cancer-controversies/plastic-bottles-and-food-containers.
2. Foss, Sonja. “Chapter 7 Ideological Criticism.” Rhetorical Criticism, 4th ed., Waveland Press.
3. Ren, Alexis, director. Alexis Ren X Coral Gardeners | Save the Reef. YouTube, YouTube, 19 Nov. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cmqco8_X73g.
4. “Why I Live a Zero Waste Life | Lauren Singer | TEDxTeen.” Performance by Lauren Lauren Singer, YouTube, YouTube, 27 May 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF72px2R3Hg.