Prompt:

• The goals of this assignment are for you to use evidence and arguments to advocate for actionto reduce the adverse health impacts of climate change.
• Write a persuasive essay on the health impacts of climate change that could be an “Op-Ed” piece or blog post.
• The essay should have:
  • Your opinion– Take a side on an issue and persuade the reader to join you.
  • A call to action– Convince the reader that a specific action needs to be taken.
  • Your voice– Be authentic and believable. Use “I/me/we” statements when necessary.
  • Facts– Include a description of at least three health impacts of climate change with supporting facts and references.
  • Specifics – Don’t speak in generalities or abstractions. Instead, for one of the three impacts talk about a specific health impact of climate change on a specific community or individual. Examples:
    • A tribal community in Alaska that might need to relocate because of sea-level rise
    • Foodies in Seattle who get Vibrioinfections from oysters due to warming sea waters
    • Villagers in Bangladesh at risk for drowning due to river flooding
    • An elderly neighbor at higher risk for heat stroke.
  • Conciseness– Use between 800 and 1200 words.
  • References – Use in-text citations with no footnotes or endnotes, and include a list of references (at least three).
• Helpful resources:
  • New York Times: Op Ed and You(Links to an external site.)
  • Copyblogger: Ten Timeless Persuasive Writing Techniques(Links to an external site.)
  • Public Health Institute: Physicians speak out on climate change & health(Links to an external site.)