Topic > Rhetorical Analysis of James Hansen's Speech on Climate Change

The previous opening line of NASA's mission statement, "Understanding and Protecting the Homeworld," served as a sensible basis for Dr. James Hansen to dedicate the his life to study climate change and to present his findings to much of the modern world. However, despite being a credible source and producing factual information, Hansen's efforts were not taken seriously. So, in 2012, Hansen, now head of the Climate Science, Awareness and Solutions Program at Columbia University, decided to broaden his audience and presented a TED talk on the reality of climate change, along with the consequences that might inevitably result from it. During his speech, Dr. Hansen argues that climate change is indeed happening and that if humanity does not act against it, the situation will only get worse over time. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay While the overall presentation could have used more passion, Hansen's speech contained effective use of ethos, logo, and pathos; so much so that he was able to present his argument sensibly and logically, while also making valuable personal connections with his audience in an attempt to make his claim. From the beginning, Hansen established himself with a strong sense of ethics. He begins by describing himself as a humble farmer's son who was able to continue studying with the eminent scholar James Van Allen, a professor previously involved in building the first US satellites. In doing so, he pays homage to his humble origins, without seeming like an individual who has forgotten where he came from. I would even say that his physical appearance played a role in establishing his ethics. By presenting himself as a commoner, wearing a hat, blue jeans and a simple button-down shirt, Hansen has the ability to attract the general public who can see his talk on the TED website. Shortly thereafter, Hansen goes on to explain how he spent the early part of his career working as a principal investigator for NASA and mentions one of his reports being published in the journal Science, a feat that eventually led him to testify before Congress , as well as members of a presidential climate task force. By presenting a short but concise profile of his career, Hansen certifies his credibility. Additionally, its audience is able to determine that it is an educated, published, and reputable source of information. In addition to providing background knowledge about his professional career, Hansen also uses testimonials from his research to further establish his credibility. Examples include a mention of how Greenland and Antarctica are losing mass at an accelerating rate, methane is being released into the atmosphere, the current amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere measured around 391 ppm, and that “the energy imbalance total. . “on Earth it is now”. . . about six-tenths of a watt per square meter. ” Even more impressive than Hansen's presentation of ethics is his compelling use of logos. Throughout, Hansen presents scientific information in a comprehensive and understandable manner. This allows him to offer facts and figures that would attract scholarly appreciation, while still including audiences who may not understand such material. One example is his comparison of how adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere is essentially similar to “. . . throwing another blanket on the bed. Most people would be able to deduce that blankets trap heat given off by the body, so a?