Sample Article Response Essay on Climate Change

Below is a sample outline and a well-developed response essay in MLA for the article titled “Climate Change Is Speeding Toward Catastrophe. The Next Decade Is Crucial, U.N. Panel Says” by Brad Plumer. This sample is intended to help students write better essays.

Article Response Essay on Climate Change

Sample Article Response Essay Outline

1. Introduction
   • Hook: Begin with a brief summary of the urgency and significance of the article’s message on climate change.
   • Context: Mention the author’s name, publication date, and the source (The New York Times).
   • Thesis Statement: State your overall response and key points you will discuss regarding the article’s warnings and recommendations on climate change.
2. Body Paragraphs:
   1. Summary of the Article: Provide a concise summary of the key points made in the article:
      • The imminent global warming threshold within the next decade.
      • The importance of immediate and substantial shifts away from fossil fuels.
      • The critical significance of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
      • The consequences of failing to take necessary action.
   2. Analysis of the Climate Crisis
      • Discuss the implications of Earth crossing the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold.
      • Examine the current state of global warming and its impacts on climate hazards, food production, and ecosystems.
      • Explore the dangers posed by increasing temperatures, including heatwaves, water scarcity, and disease spread.
   3. Evaluation of Recommended Actions
      • Analyze the report’s recommendations for addressing climate change:
        • Immediate greenhouse gas reduction by industrialized nations.
        • Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
        • The importance of global cooperation.
      • Discuss the feasibility and challenges of implementing these recommendations.
   4. Response to Global Fossil Fuel Projects
      • Assess the actions of major polluters, such as China and the United States, in approving new fossil fuel projects.
      • Highlight specific examples of such projects and their implications.
      • Reflect on the inconsistency between these actions and the report’s recommendations.
   5. The Role of Clean Energy
      • Discuss the potential solutions presented in the article, such as scaling up renewable energy sources.
      • Examine the economic and environmental benefits of transitioning away from fossil fuels.
      • Consider the trade-offs and challenges associated with clean energy adoption.
   6. The Importance of International Cooperation
      • Emphasize the need for global collaboration in addressing climate change.
      • Discuss the role of international agreements like the Paris Agreement.
      • Reflect on the responsibilities of both developed and developing nations.
3. Conclusion
   • Summarize the main points discussed in the essay, including the urgency of the climate crisis and the actions needed to mitigate it.
   • Reiterate your response to the article’s message and the significance of the next decade in shaping the future.
   • Conclude with a call to action or reflection on the role individuals and governments can play in addressing climate change.
4. Work Cited
   • Plumer, Brad. “Climate Change Is Speeding Toward Catastrophe. The Next Decade Is Crucial, U.N. Panel Says.” The New York Times, 20 Mar. 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/20/climate/global-warming-ipcc-earth.html.