"As Its Global Warming Narrative Unravels, The IPCC Is In Damage Control Mode" by James Taylor (TOW #3)

For years, global warming has been a controversial topic that has received a significant amount of media attention, despite what some, like James Taylor, say is a myth based on denial and overreaction. Taylor, a senior figure from the Heartland Institute, discusses his view on the subject by bringing attention the chair of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Raj Pachauri. Taylor highlights a statement Pachairi publicly said, which plainly denied the plateau that global temperatures have experienced during the past decade. This contradicts not only with other sources, including headlines of NPR, BBC, and The New York Times, but also with scientists who are a part of IPCC. Taylor utilized this situation to compose what appears to be a persuasion essay. His purpose, therefore, is to convince his readers that global warming alarmists have often skewed or imagined scenarios and facts to create a greater public fear of the matter, which Taylor describes as a “myth”. Taylor, whose editorial is published on Forbes, is not a staff writer and instead writes for Environmental & Climate News. Though his occupation and experience on environmental issues do appeal to ethos, he is simply a contributor, and has no affiliation to the magazine. It seems that Taylor put this in Forbes to speak to a specific audience. Readers of the magazine are most likely those interested in business, so there is a greater chance Taylor’s readers are educated and informed, and therefore might listen to Taylor’s argument, which is accompanied by statistics and quotes from experts. In this way, Taylor also seems to be appealing to logos. The tone is for the most part focused and formal, but Taylor does effectively use a hyperbole towards the end of his essay to create a lasting impression: “One cannot watch this propaganda train wreck unfold without expectations that Pachauri will soon offer a mini-pony with every copy of the IPCC’s newest report.” A mini-pony is such a foreign object in the context of the subject that is stands out and provides some humor to Taylor’s otherwise serious editorial. Using a variety of rhetorical strategies, Taylor did achieve his purpose.

Article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamestaylor/2013/09/26/as-its-global-warming-narrative-unravels-the-ipcc-is-in-damage-control-mode/