Contreras 1

October 4, 2014
Dear Professor Gail Taylor,
I chose to write about Climate Change because this has been an ongoing issue through
our daily lives. This climate has been speeding excessively at a higher rate than scientists have
predetermined. Climate change has impacted not only human lives, but also animal and plant
life. I also feel this issue is one of the strongest writing prompts we have written in class.

Your student,
Richard Jay Contreras
ID #10089727

Contreras 2
Richard Contreras
Professor Gail Taylor
English 100
4 October 2014
Climate Change
Climate Change has impacted our everyday lives. On September 23, 2014, Leonardo
DiCaprio delivered a speech to the United Nations about Climate Change. He discussed how
the world, today, is being affected by this great threat. Mr. DiCaprio also brought up the worlds
effort to solving this crisis. DiCaprio argues with the world united, we can solve this situation. I
agree with Mr. DiCaprio and also believe we must take action. If we do not take action, then
temperatures will continue to rise and will cause animals to go extinct.
I.

Leonardo DiCaprio addresses the UN climate summit.

A. Mr. DiCaprio addresses his thesis.
i. I believe humankind has looked at climate change in that same way: as if
it were a fiction, happening to someone elses planet, as if pretending that
climate change wasnt real would somehow make it go away (Leonardo
DiCaprio, United Nations Speech, Tuesday, 23 September 2014).

Leonardo DiCaprio notes an idea individuals believe that the

Climate change can fix itself.

ii. But I think we know better than that. Every week, were seeing new and
undeniable climate events, evidence that accelerated climate change is
here now (Leonardo DiCaprio, United Nations Speech, Tuesday, 23
September 2014).

Contreras 3

Leonardo DiCaprio then argues that we know this problem cannot

fix itself. Rather, we must take the first action to solving Climate
Change.

B. He then presents people, in distinguished careers, who are well aware of this
situation.
i. The scientific community knows it, Industry and governments know it,
even the United States military knows it. The chief of the US navys
Pacific command, admiral Samuel Locklear, recently said that climate
change is our single greatest security threat This disaster has grown
BEYOND the choices that individuals make. This is now about our
industries, and governments around the world taking decisive, large-scale
action. (Leonardo DiCaprio, United Nations Speech, Tuesday, 23
September 2014).

Leonardo DiCaprio adds that certain groups in government and

scientists want to take action. He also emphasizes that few
individuals cannot solve Climate Change alone.

C. Mr. DiCaprio suggests actions that society can do to help lower this climate
change.
i. We need to put a pricetag on carbon emissions, and eliminate
government subsidies for coal, gas, and oil companies... For the economy
itself will die if our ecosystems collapse (Leonardo DiCaprio, United
Nations Speech, Tuesday, 23 September 2014).

Contreras 4

Leonardo DiCaprio believes that all choices, by society, will either

benefit or harm the environment.

II.

Animal life has also been affected by Climate change.

A. Polar bears have been having trouble searching for food.
i. Polar bears feed by scouring openings in the ice for seals and other prey
in the water. So as sea ice has disappeared, polar bears have had to look
elsewhere to find food (Bell, 10 Animals Threatened by Global
Warming).

Polar bears are now having to migrate away from their normal
habitats while trying to find fish.

B. As temperatures rise, fish have been losing their natural habitats.

i. As water temperatures rise, fish like trout and salmon will find fewer
places habitable. Even a small increase in temperature can be fatal to
many fish species (Bell, 10 Animals Threatened by Global Warming).

Fish cannot handle the sudden rise in temperature and have trouble
finding new habitats to live.

Leonardo DiCaprio brought up good points during his speech. Mr. DiCaprio suggested
strategies to stop the rapid growth of Climate Change to the summit. This will not only benefit
us, but future generations. It is not too late for all of us to take action against Climate Change.
Society should play a role in the effort to help the environment.