Changing Climate, Changing Cities

Posted: March 26th, 2020

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Changing Climate, Changing Cities

The background of the article is centered on the recent rise in sea levels that have been derived from the implications of climate change. Accordingly, the focus on the notion of climate change has shifted largely towards the effects that it has posed on the environment with a rise in sea levels being a common subject matter. In this respect, the article concentrates on the changes in weather and climate by highlighting the extent to which climate change has created rising sea levels that presently restrict the development of urban cities in the state of China. Nonetheless, in an effort to establish a persuasive argument about the threat of increased sea levels on China’s cities, the article relies on rhetorical appeals such as logos, a serious tone, and organization. 

First, the argument that Kimmelman establishes is based on the use of logic. While the issue of climate change tends to raise emotional responses, Kimmelman manages to focus on the rational side of his claim by utilizing real information to buttress his claim. In order to illustrates the effects of rising sea levels on China’s cities, Kimmelman utilizes actual occurrences such as the flooding of the city of Dongguan whereby over “100 factories and shops were inundated” and “water climbed knee-high in 20 minutes, wiping out inventory for dozens of business” (Kimmelman para. 2). This sole illustration, which is positioned on the initial parts of the article, supports his argument hence rendering it persuasive to the respective audience.

Aside from the use of the logical appeal, the tone that the article applies poses a persuasive impact as far as Kimmelman’s arguments are concerned. From the onset of the article, it is simple for the reader to take note of the seriousness surrounding the argument. In fact, Kimmelman’s statement (para. 1), “The rains brought torrents, pouring into basements and malls, the water swiftly rising a foot and a half” establishes the grave nature of Kimmelman’s subject. Additionally, the serious nature of the tone that the article utilizes assumes an imperative role as far as the argument is perceived. By relying on the respective tonal arrangement throughout the article, Kimmelman clearly forces the audience to contemplate on the extent to which rising sea levels are a pertinent issue that should be addressed.

Lastly, the organization plays an essential role in the article’s persuasiveness. Starting with a somber quote, Kimmelman establishes an organizational framework that gradually builds up his argument as the article progresses from the beginning to its conclusion. A good illustration involves the disparities that exist in the first few sections of the article and the paragraphs that lead to the conclusion. For instance, in the preliminary segments, Kimmelman concentrates largely on the impacts caused by flooding in areas such as Guangzhou. However, the tailgating sections present a multifaceted argument by concentrating on issues such as infrastructure in an attempt to elucidate the complexity of the situation affecting China’s urbanization plans (Kimmelman para. 11). Essentially, he integrates an exploratory arrangement that provides him with the capacity to establish a complex argument despite the one-dimensional nature of the subject in question.

To this end, the article, “Rising Waters Threaten China’s Rising Cities” by Michael Kimmelman focuses on the effects of rising sea and water levels on the development of cities in the state of China. Essentially, Kimmelman argues that the implications of climate change, specifically rising water levels, have posed a rather restrictive impact on the establishment of urbanized cities as an outcome of the conflict between both aspects. For the aim of persuading his audience, Kimmelman relies on specific rhetorical strategies such as the utilization of the logos appeal via real-world illustrations such as the flooding of Dongguan, the application of a serious tone throughout the article, and the use of an exploratory organizational structure. With these aspects, Kimmelman delivers a unique article that manages to persuade the audience concerning the argument in question.

Works Cited

Kimmelman, Michael. “Rising Waters Threaten China’s Rising Cities.” The New York Times, 7 Apr. 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/04/07/world/asia/climate-change-china.html. Accessed 23 Apr. 2018.