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Academic Summary #2
Elizabeth Rosenthal is a reporter for The New York Times who specializes in
environmental issues. Her article entitled Where Did Global Warming Go was the print feature
for the paper on the 16th of October in 2011 and was also posted online. The article discusses the
diminishing political agenda in America regarding global warming, despite an increased
response of other nations to action and increased evidence of climate change. Rosenthal
acknowledges economic difficulties and challenges in altering lifestyles while promoting reform,
but details other nations that are still managing to enact environmental policies. Rosenthal writes
at a high school level which is crucial to her purpose of influencing the widest audience to
pressure the government to adequately address climate change.
Two pictures are placed at the beginning of the article: the first is a version of hidden
depths where the majority of an iceberg is below the water, yet the imaged is flipped upside
down to to engage the readers thought. It is possible that Rosenthal wants the reader to realize
that sometimes hidden depths are seen above everything else but are ignored, such as global
warming. Sparking the readers interest and curiosity are pathos persuasion; the dagger-like
iceburg further shifts the readers emotions so they will worry about the dangers that global
warming poses.
The second image displays signs that people laid out to spell the word yes in support of
new government policies. The images apparent effect is that of logos, where the reader can see
evidence of group support for environmental policy creation, which will increase their
inspiration to join together and create change in their own governments. However, the picture
primarily affects the reader subconsciously, where the word yes positively influences the
readers perception of Rosenthals argument before they even begin to read. The juxtaposition of

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this image below the first vastly decreases the probability that they will analyze an apparently
simple one, resulting in a smaller likelihood that they will observe the psychological deception.
Rosenthal heavily utilizes logos in the beginning of the article: she illuminates the
governments inability to act through specific examples, giving the reader concrete proof that
supports her argument. There are indisputable statistics provided in the text regarding the decline
of political interest in global warming, often with the reputable source listed alongside. Quotes
from figures such as John Ashton, Britains leading climate change representative, and Bill
Clinton are very influencial to the reader because of their stature (Rosenthal Par. 8).
Furthermore, there are several hyperlinks within the internet article that provide the reader to
instant access to unadulterated source material.
A key ethos appeal in the center of Rosenthals article is her acknowledgement in the
challenges of accomadating for global warming. The reader will find her to be more realistic and
honest by conceding to strong oppositions to global warming, such as difficult personal sacrifices
in lifestyle, a harsh winter in 2010 and economic difficulties during the recession (Rosenthal Par.
10-11). At the same time, these examples show that she is knowledgable and caring in the
hardships of her readers; the brutal winter affected the northeast region, her demographic, and
the recession affected many readers when the article was written.
Thus far in the article, Rosenthals rhetorical syntax has primarily been to utilize pathos
to prepare the reader to be most accepting of the text, build logos in the readers, and then proceed
to build her ethos. After developing her trust in the reader, she is prepared to deliver her full
message by focusing on pathos once again, utilizing statistics to fuel her arguments; such is the
case when she invokes surprise from the reader that the European Union has met environmental
goals despite economic challenges (Rosenthal Par. 15). Rosenthal snowballs off of her mention

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of the recession by outlining how Europes environmental sectors maintained economic growth
through dire times; this invokes anger in readers through an inference that a stronger focus on
green energy could have helped people during the recession. Furthermore, by citing that
developing nations are changing quicker than America and quoting people who refer to the
countries as moving ahead (Par. 21), Rosenthal invokes feelings of isolation and exclusion in
the reader to encourage them to act .
Rosenthal concludes by describing President Obamas decision to combat climate
change as supported in private and quotes a reputable sources question (Par. 24). The former
implies to the reader that Obama is not adequately addressing climate change and that his
political stance is separate from the general consensus to enact environmental reform. The latter
allows the reader to ponder the issue themselves and consequently come to a revelation (due to
their disgruntled attitude instilled by the article) that fulfills Rosenthals purpose: the reader will
ideally act to pressure the government to address global warming, especially higher government
officials. The subliminal push for higher government reform is brought about from the criticism
of Obama in the concluding segment.
Rosenthal, Elisabeth. Where Did Global Warming Go? The New York Times. The New York
Times Company, 15 Oct. 2011. Web. 12 Sept. 2012.