The Effectiveness of Environmental Protection: A Persuasive Analysis

This persuasive analytical essay examines the effectiveness of actions taken by governments and organizations to protect the environment, arguing that current efforts have been largely unsuccessful and require broader societal participation. The introduction highlights the increasing importance of global environmental concerns and the perceived ineffectiveness of existing treaties and action plans. The essay then focuses on two key controlling ideas: reducing the use of disposable plastics and stopping deforestation. Body paragraphs provide evidence of the detrimental effects of these issues, counter-arguments acknowledging past failures, and refutations emphasizing the need for individual and collective action. The conclusion restates the thesis, recommending measures such as reducing plastic use, properly disposing of plastics, and curbing deforestation, emphasizing the need for alternative, eco-friendly options. The essay supports its claims with references to academic sources, advocating for a shift towards a more sustainable and balanced approach to environmental protection.

Subject: Environment (debatable topic)
Topic: Action taken by government and organization to protect the environment has largely
been unsuccessful.
Structure: Persuasive Analytical essay.
Structure details:
Introduction: (150 to 160 words)
During the last several years, safeguarding the worldwide surroundings has turned out
to be as one among the key issues within global relations (Blackman, 2017). Several global
environmental treaties have been discussed and various regional as well as bilateral
agreements have been formed. However, nothing constructive has been achieved with respect
to environment protection. Governments and organizations have also endorsed various all-
inclusive action plans that lay down a blueprint for executing sustainable development
(Chunmei and Zhaolan, 2010). There prevails a continuous discussion regarding the suitable
function of government and organizations for resolving environmental issues, with several
environmentalists calling for augmented government and corporate intervention.
Specific Information
According to WHO report the overall percent of the occurrence of natural disasters
has been increasing with every passing years (Blackman, 2017). Facing augmented
likelihoods of natural disasters (several presumably owing to global warming), the
organizations and the government need to shift the economy towards a more rational risk
management approach within regions susceptible to natural catastrophes (Harding, 2016). It
has also been observed that the growing level of environmental issues is having a great toll on
the health on individuals and society in general. In such a situation, the government and
organizations need to perform a highly active role in dealing with such situation.
Issue (both side)
The growing advent of environmental issues clearly signifies that government and
organizations alone can’t handle the issue effectively. In fact every individual of the society
also needs to play an active role for dealing with such issue.
Thesis (our Opinion) (Passive voice)

There is no doubt in the fact that environmental issues are growing at a very speedy rate and
have become a serious concern for everyone be it individuals or overall society (Harding,
2016). Thus, this calls for active participation of all the people to effectively handle the
situation.
Controlling Ideas (2 ideas which describe in body 1 & body 2)
 Stopping or reducing the use of disposable plastics
 Stopping deforestation
Body 1: (450 words: +/- 10 words)
Topic sentence + Thesis + Controlling Ideas (Argument 1)
(150 to 160 words)
-Example- The foremost way of controlling environmental
issues is by stopping or reducing the use of disposable plastics
-Explanation- The use of plastics is greatly affecting the
environment in a negative manner and resulting in several ecological issues
(Harding, 2016).
-Expansion
It has been observed that every year more than 100,000 marine animals as well
as one million birds decease because of ingesting and choking on plastic. This
eventually results in environmental imbalance (Blackman, 2017). Thus, in such a
situation it is highly necessary to eradicate needless use of plastic from and start
using reusable water bottles, grocery bags and travel mugs. Even if the plastics
are being used it should be made sure that they are disposed in a proper manner.
The government could levy serious fines and penalties upon people, households
and workplaces, who just simply litter around plastics.
-Evidence (references)
At present, around 300 million tons of plastic are generated yearly for making bags,
packages, bottles and other items for individuals worldwide (Mitchell, 2016). Regrettably,
just around 10% of the overall plastic is appropriately recycled and reused. The remaining

goes as waste in landfills or as litter within the natural surroundings, where it percolates
hazardous chemicals into the nearby water and soil, threatening wildlife and humans alike
(Mitchell, 2016). The world needs to perceive plastics not just like the environmental issue
of worldwide proportions nevertheless as a symbol of the values, which must change for
building a highly sustainable and unbiased world.
Counter Augment
-Example- However, past studies point towards the fact that
although a lot of efforts have been made towards reducing the use of plastics nothing
constructive has been done.
-Explanation- Out of over million tons of plastic waste
generated yearly, just a small percent of it is recycled (Mitchell, 2016). This plastic waste
eventually ends up in landfills, rivers, beaches and oceans and contributes towards
devastating issues.
-Expansion- Around 1 million plastic bags are brought to use
each minute and a single plastic bag could require about 1,000 years for degradation
(Harding, 2016).
-Evidence (references)- Out of over million tons of plastic
waste generated yearly, just a small percent of it is recycled. Around 1 million plastic
bags are brought to use each minute and a single plastic bag could require about 1,000 years
for degradation (Harding, 2016).
Refutation
-Example- There exists the need to bring down the use of
plastics and if used they should be properly disposed.
-Explanation- High use as well as improper disposal of plastic
materials could have high impact on the environment and disturb the ecological balance.
-Expansion- In order to reduce the use of plastics people should
look for alternative options. For instance, instead of using plastics bags people can opt for
eco-friendly bags that are made of cloth or jute.
-Evidence (references) An effort towards bringing down the use
of plastics and disposing it properly could greatly help in dealing with the issue.

Concluding Sentence (your opinion) (summarised body 1)
To conclude, the use of plastics has a great impact upon the environment and eventually
disturbs the ecological balance. An effort towards bringing down the use of plastics and
disposing it properly could greatly help in dealing with the issue.
Body 2: (As like body 1)
Topic sentence + Thesis + Controlling Ideas (Argument 1)
(150 to 160 words)
-Example- The foremost way of controlling environmental
issues is by stopping or reducing deforestation
-Explanation- Deforestation is greatly affecting the
environment in a negative manner and resulting in several ecological issues
(Blackman, 2017).
-Expansion
It has been observed that every year more than 500,000 are cut for human
purposes (Mitchell, 2016). This eventually results in environmental imbalance.
Thus, in such a situation it is highly necessary to immediately stop deforestation.
The government could levy serious fines and penalties upon people, households
and workplaces, who just simply cut trees for their personal reasons (Mitchell,
2016).
-Evidence (references)
At present, around 300 million trees are but yearly for making bags, packages and other items
for individuals worldwide (Harding, 2016).
Counter Augment
-Example- However, past studies point towards the fact that
although a lot of efforts have been made towards reducing deforestation nothing constructive
has been done.

-Explanation- Over million tons of trees are being cut yearly for
personal reasons by companies, individuals and government. Such high percentage of
deforestation contributes towards devastating issues.
-Expansion-Deforestation has turned out to be a serious issue
for the society and overall environment. Individuals and companies are regularly involved in
cutting down trees for their personal reasons (Blackman, 2017). This eventually disturbs the
ecological balance and results in several devastating issues for the environment, people and
the overall society.
-Evidence (references)- Over million tons of trees are being cut
yearly for personal reasons by companies, individuals and government. Such high percentage
of deforestation contributes towards devastating issues.
Refutation
-Example- There exists, the need to bring down the level of
deforestation.
-Explanation- High level of deforestation is having high impact
on the environment and disturbing the ecological balance.
-Expansion- In order to reduce the level of deforestation one
should look for alternative options. For instance, one should avoid constructing buildings or
companies around the plantation area as they would cut down trees for clearing out the
region.
-Evidence (references) An effort towards bringing down the
level of deforestation could greatly help in dealing with the issue.
Concluding Sentence (your opinion) (summarised body 1)
To conclude, deforestation has high impact upon the environment and eventually disturbs the
ecological balance (Karamanos, 2011). An effort towards bringing down the level of
deforestation could greatly help in dealing with the issue.
Conclusion:

To conclude, it can be clearly stated from the above discussion that
environmental issues are increasing day by day, despite of several constructive actions being
taken by the government and the companies (Blackman, 2017). Thus, in such a situation
measures like reducing use or effective disposal of plastic items and bringing down the level
of deforestation could help in dealing with the situation.
Restate thesis- There exists the need to
bring down the use of plastics and if used they should be properly
disposed. Government, companies and individuals must sure that they
actively contribute towards bringing down the level of deforestation.
Recommendation/ final point- Deforestation and use of plastics have turned out to be serious
issues for the society and overall environment. Individuals and companies are regularly
involved in cutting down trees for their personal reasons and high usage of plastics (Harding,
2016). In order to reduce the use of plastics or deforestation people should look for
alternative options. For instance, instead of using plastics bags people can opt for eco-
friendly bags that are made of cloth or jute. For instance, one should avoid constructing
buildings or companies around the plantation area as they would cut down trees for clearing
out the region.

References
Blackman, A. (2017) Can Voluntary Environmental Regulation Work in Developing
Countries? Lessons from Case Studies, Policy Studies Journal, Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 119-141.
Chunmei, W. and Zhaolan, L. (2010) Environmental Policies in China over the past 10 Years:
Progress, Problems and Prospects, International Society for Environmental Information
Sciences 2010 Annual Conference (ISEIS), Vol. 2, pp. 1701–1712
Harding, R. (2016) Ecologically sustainable development: origins, implementation and
challenges, Desalination, Vol. 187, No. 1-3, pp. 229-239
Karamanos, P. (2011) Voluntary Environmental Agreements: Evolution and Definition of a
New Environmental Policy Approach, Journal of Environmental Planning and Management,
Vol. 44, No. 1, pp. 67-67-84
Mitchell, R. B. (2013) International Environmental Agreements: A Survey of Their Features,
Formation, and Effects, Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Vol. 28, pp. 429-
461.